- 30
Maqbool Fida Husain
Estimate
80,000 - 100,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Maqbool Fida Husain
- Ganesha
- Signed in Urdu and Devanagari lower right and signed in Urdu and Devanagari and dated "71' and further inscribed in Devanagari center left and further signed, dated and inscribed 'XI SAO PAULO BIENALE / BRAZIL / Husain / 1971/ "MAHABHARATA 1" / 36" x 48" / "GANESHA"/ Husain / 71' on reverse
- Oil on canvas
- 90.7 by 122 cm. (35 ¾ by 48 in.)
- Painted in 1971
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist in Paris in 1973.
Condition
This painting is in good condition overall, as viewed. There are extremely minor spots of surface accretion scattered across the painting. There are pin hole size areas of losses, particularly on the left side of the artwork.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Ganesha is one of twenty-nine paintings created for the Sao Paulo Biennial in 1971. Husain was invited to exhibit at the 11th Biennial alongside Pablo Picasso. The paintings exhibited were based on the Mahabharata, which is considered to be India's greatest epic. Husain was captivated by this drama and the universal significance of its teachings. He repeatedly painted scenes from the Mahabharata throughout his life. The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, held an exhibition of Husain's paintings on this subject titled Epic India: Paintings by M. F. Husain, in 2006-2007 featuring Husain's renditions of this story dating back to 1971 when he first created a group for the Sao Paulo Biennial up till 1990.
According to Hindu myth, the sage Vyasa recited the Mahabharata and Ganesha was the scribe who wrote it. The sage narrated whilst deep in meditation and Ganesha's quill wore out. However Ganesha didn't want to break the sage's narrative thread so he broke off a piece of his tusk to carry on writing, only stopping after he had recorded the entire epic. It is this vignette that has been depicted in the current painting along with the word 'Mahabharata' in Devanagari. Painted with fiery yellows, oranges and reds, this work is a wonderful portrayal of this age-old fable.