Sakti Burman

Property from the Leicester Art Collection 

Acquired at a Grammar School Auction

There is fine craquelure present in areas of thicker paint, most notably around the violin. There are small accretions and minor stains throughout the surface and small losses to the canvas in the upper centre. There is a small 1 cm. scratch to the right of the vase, and rubbing around the edges of the work, as viewed.
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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."

This charming painting is from a very early period in Burman's career when he was still painting in a realist style and studying at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. One can see the influence of Western art in this work. In particular, the 1960s in Paris were consumed by the Nouveau Réalisme movement and the preoccupation with bringing art and life closer together. Collages and the art of Juan Gris and the Cubists informed his early work. These artists viewed the world as a pictorial image from which they could choose certain aspects and incorporate them into their art. A medley of fruit, leaves, glassware and a flower vase sits in the forefront while instruments recede into the background. Using a jumbled perspective, the objects in the painting appear to be humorously squashed into the frame which adds to its appeal. In later years, Burman developed and perfected an incredibly distinctive style of painting, full of fantastical creatures, set in stunning make-believe worlds and created with candy-like colours. It is refreshing to see this early and atypical example of his work.  In discussing the work, the artist mentioned that his early works were alternatively signed 'Barman' or 'Burman'.

Sakti Burman was born in Kolkata and attended the Government Art College there. After graduating, he moved to Paris on a scholarship awarded to him by the French Government and he continues to live in France to this very day.