Lot 223: "Untitled" - MAQBOOL FIDA HUSAIN (1913-2011), Water Colour.
0 views
"Untitled" – MAQBOOL FIDA HUSAIN (1913-2011), Water Colour.
Against a luminous, abstract backdrop of turquoise, ochre, and green, the horses charge forward with electrifying energy. Their fragmented forms and exaggerated motion evoke both power and emotion, hallmarks of Husain’s modernist idiom. The dark orb above suggests a celestial element, perhaps a sun or moon, anchoring the composition in symbolic depth.
Maqbool Fida Husain achieved numerous accomplishments over his prolific career, establishing himself as a towering figure in modern Indian art. He was a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947, a collective that redefined Indian art in the post-independence era by introducing a bold, modernist approach. Husain’s work was internationally acclaimed—his paintings were exhibited in prestigious galleries across the globe, from the Tate Gallery in London to the São Paulo Biennale and the Venice Biennale. In recognition of his artistic contributions, he received some of India’s highest civilian honors, including the Padma Bhushan in 1973 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1991. Beyond painting, Husain also made significant strides in cinema, directing films like Through the Eyes of a Painter, which won a Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1967. His ability to blend Indian themes with contemporary style not only elevated his own stature but also brought Indian modern art to the global stage.
With frame: Approximately 84.3 x 64cm
Provenance: Private collection from a distinguished USA collector.
Share this lot: