Important Notice

Lot 101

 

Quick Zoom

Husain's art was profoundly personal and yet deeply rooted in the complexities of Indian history and culture. He was able to refer to ancient literature and art, bringing it into a modern context, in the true spirit of post-Independence thinking. The multi-headed serpent Kaliya, who has been variously depicted in manuscripts and miniatures, is shown here in an incarnation that situates him in a context that is far removed from its mythological... Husain's art was profoundly personal and yet deeply rooted in the complexities of Indian history and culture. He was able to refer to ancient literature and art, bringing it into a modern context, in the true spirit of post-Independence thinking. The multi-headed serpent Kaliya, who has been variously depicted in manuscripts and miniatures, is shown here in an incarnation that situates him in a context that is far removed from its mythological origins.

The present lot was a gift from Husain to Benny Lai, a Vatican City correspondent who accompanied Pope John Paul II on a papal visit to India in February 1986. Lai was known in Italy as the Dean of Vaticanisti, a group of experts, academics and journalists specialising in the religious and political affairs of the Holy See. Born in the town of Aprigliano, Cosenza in southern Italy in 1925, Lai joined the order of journalists in 1946. In 1952, he was accredited to the Holy See Press Office, while reporting on Vatican affairs for the Gazzetta del Popolo. He covered the Second Vatican Council during its term from 1962- 65, and wrote for several dailies and news magazines. Lai was close to Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, who was a strong candidate during the 1958 papacy conclave, and wrote several pieces on him, including an important essay "Il Papa non eletto" ("The Unelected Pope") which was later published as a book. Lai was also a well-known expert on the Vatican's finances and in 2012, published Finanze Vaticane, his fourteenth book. A year later, Lai passed away in Rome.

Read More
Artist Profile
Other works of this artist in: this auction  |  entire site