Narayan Shridhar Bendre

Acquired directly from the artist in 1988

Good overall condition. Colors somewhat lighter and brighter than in catalog illustration. Red in man's hat is a vivid red compared to catalog illustration. Some extremely faint craquelure including two small abrasions visible in catalog illustration. Light craquelure also visible in the figure's arm. Horizontal impression from stretcher bar along lower edge of painting.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Narayan Shridhar Bendre was one of the most influential Indian artists of the twentieth century. In 1941, he won the Bombay Art Society Gold Medal and in 1943, Bendre was hailed by the Times of India as the leading artist of his generation. During his career Bendre explored elements of Cubism, Expressionism and Pointillism. His artistic vision became the driving force behind the artists that were to follow in his wake, including M. F. Husain, whom he briefly taught and helped gain admission to the J. J. School of Art in Mumbai.

The current painting hails from the Saurashtra series, a group of works inspired by the region. Following his studies in fine art at Indore, Bendre extensively travelled around India including an expedition to Saurashtra. Bendre’s subjects were always drawn directly from the world around him.

He states “I belong to this earth. I walk on this earth, and I don't think of anything but this earth. Things here are my kind of library, I'm not interested in anything else. As such I don't create dream paintings. Whatever I have experienced in this world I paint. Other things are not important to me.' (N. S. Bendre: Drawings and Paintings, Vadehra Art Gallery Exhibition Catalogue, 1992).

This work depicts a traditionally dressed seated man and woman with a bright yellow background. 'With the inclusion of the hues and even the inclusion of the black colour which are Expressionist traits, Bendre rather successfully attempted a sort of telescoping of the late nineteenth century French Impressionist style with the German Expressionist style of the second decade of the twentieth century...Langhammer brought into India, Kokoschka's style of panoramic landscapes. Similar hues of colour were employed by Bendre to replace the mellow colour scheme of the existing Indore school as if to usher in the celebration of the Indian sunshine.' (R. Parimoo, ‘Profile of a Pioneer, N.S. Bendre’, Lalit Kala Contemporary, 37, March 1991, p.74.)