Important Notice

Maqbool Fida Husain was a fearless artist who did not hesitate to experiment, be it his choice of medium or changes in the way he manipulated the picture plane. The present lot at first glance appears to be a conventional painting, however on closer inspection one finds that Husain is playing with posture and visual elements. By adding a border he makes it a painting within a painting. He places the woman’s hand on the frame as if she is... Maqbool Fida Husain was a fearless artist who did not hesitate to experiment, be it his choice of medium or changes in the way he manipulated the picture plane. The present lot at first glance appears to be a conventional painting, however on closer inspection one finds that Husain is playing with posture and visual elements. By adding a border he makes it a painting within a painting. He places the woman’s hand on the frame as if she is invading the viewer’s space. The raised hand to the chin, which is often related to a posture associated with photography, belies the detachment of the woman and brings in a sense of awareness of the viewer for whom she is sitting.

Interestingly he eschews colour and works in almost monochrome, the blue tones adding an aura mystery to the woman. Husain imbues the woman of with the unmistakable quality of mother earth. The suggestion is highlighted by the vase with only leaves in it, appearing to symbolise the weight she carries with her -or maybe it rests lightly for she seems to be almost unaware of the vase on her head and makes no attempt to hold it in place. Bereft of any superfluous ornamentation, the woman is a personification of fecundity and simplicity that Husain associates with his conception of woman; at the same time he infuses them with strength through his unwavering bold lines that bring his painting to life.

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