Important Notice

S L Haldankar, whose works are considered to be among India's national art treasures, is best known for his portrait paintings such as Glow of Hope, commonly referred to as "Woman With the Lamp," and Divine Lamp, both of which are ubiquitously recognised across India. Masterpieces like these, as well as the present lot, have earned Haldankar an important place in the annals of Indian art.

Born on 25 November 1882 in... S L Haldankar, whose works are considered to be among India's national art treasures, is best known for his portrait paintings such as Glow of Hope, commonly referred to as "Woman With the Lamp," and Divine Lamp, both of which are ubiquitously recognised across India. Masterpieces like these, as well as the present lot, have earned Haldankar an important place in the annals of Indian art.

Born on 25 November 1882 in Sawantawadi, Maharashtra, Haldankar enrolled at the Sir J J School of Art where he trained under Cecil Burns and M V Dhurandhar. He distinguished himself quite early in his career and secured prizes and medals for exhibitions held in Madras, Bombay and Simla. In 1908, he started the Haldankar Fine Art Institute in Mumbai, and later co-founded the Art Society of India in 1918 and was its president for many years. In 1915, he exhibited at the Royal British Society of Arts, London, further cementing his position in the art circles of the time.

A well-known portrait artist, Haldankar was commissioned to paint some of the most eminent personalities of his day, including philanthropist Jagannath Sunkersett, Sir John Beaumont, and Sir Leslie Wilson, Governor of Bombay. The present lot is a fine example of his mastery over the genre, and depicts a portrait of a traditionally garbed Indian woman. Sketched in a realistic style, Haldankar skilfully captures the various nuances in her expression, as well the fine details of her clothing despite the deceptively simple monochromatic palate - a testament to his immeasurable skill.

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