Balraj Khanna (b. 1940)

Herbert Benenvy Gallery, New York, 1972

good overall condition, abrasion along right edge of canvas and horizontal stretcher mark apparent along top edge, wrinkles to canvas in upper and lower right corners, would benefit from restretching, as viewed
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.
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Balraj Khanna worked as a correspondent during the short India-Pakistan War of December 1972, leading to the liberation of Bangladesh. Upon his return to France where he then lived, he set about capturing on canvas the horrors of war as witnessed by him, culminating in one of his most important works, Birth of a Nation - Bangladesh, now in the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.

Anonymous Widows of Dhaka from 1972 was created at the same time and depicts three female figures huddled together in utter hopelessness. They have been molested, rendered destitute and denuded of their dignity. Their facelessness represents their being robbed of their identity as well as their individuality. Yet the women's muteness exudes a certain calm, the ultimate feminine resilience.