Abdur Rahman Chughtai (1894 - 1975)

Acquired in 1972 from Indus Gallery by the previous owner when he was an officer at the US Embassy in Pakistan
Sotheby's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 89

There is a small stain towards the upper centre of this painting. This work is in good condition, as viewed.
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Abdur Rahman Chughtai was a prominent artist of the Swadeshi movement that was committed to indigenous themes. He trained at the Mayo College of Art in Lahore but was also prominent adherent of Bengal and Shantiniketan School styles of painting in the early 20th century. Born into a family of court painters, he was particularly interested in the revival of Mughal aesthetics, as can be seen in his fine use of delicate line and rich color, particularly in the facial features of the female subject. This work is notable for its lightness and ephemerality. Beyond miniature painting, Chughtai found inspiration in a variety of sources including Japanese prints, Art Nouveau graphics, and the mystical Persian love poetry of Omar Khayyam.  While at the time of Independence, Chughtai was considered one of India's greatest artists, after Partition, he became known as Pakistan's national artist and today has a unique position of being celebrated all over South Asia.