Sayed Haider Raza

Volkart Brothers Calendar, 1948, The Times of India Press, Bombay, page for August (illustrated)

This work will be included in SH RAZA, Catalogue Raisonné, Early Works (1940 - 1957) by Anne Macklin on behalf of The Raza Foundation, New Delhi, (Image ref SR3461)

The current watercolour by Sayed Haider Raza was produced for the Volkart Brothers calendar of 1948. Founded by Salomon and J. G. Volkart in 1851 in Winterthur, Switzerland, Volkart Brothers established direct trade relations between Europe and India. The initial focus of the company was on importing raw cotton to Switzerland and in 1948 Raza was commissioned by Volkart to paint watercolours showing the stages of the cotton trade in South India. This collaboration arose through Raza's connection with art critic Rudolf von Leyden, a supporter of the painter's work and the publicity manager at Volkart Brothers. Employees of the trading house were later able to acquire the original watercolours of the calendar.