Maqbool Fida Husain (b. 1915)

Oil on canvas laid on board, not oil on board as stated in the catalogue. Painting is dated 53 and not 57 as published in the catalogue. Uneven vertical strips of exposed canvas along left edge of painting. Overall very good condition. Colours slightly deeper than the catalogue illustration.
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The form of Husain's female nudes usually show his direct inspiration from classical Indian sculpture. The triple axial bend associated with the tribangha posture of Hindu temple sculpture is reflected in most of his standing female figures (see lot 13), but in this rare instance the more upright stance is distinctly different.  The basic line is similar to his Khajuraho drawings of the early 1950's, but even the form with broader thighs and larger waist is noticeably changed. This oddity in the work is perhaps explained by the fact that the woman depicted appears to be European and Husain may be intentionally making an artistic point about the differing styles of the female form in European art as inspired by the Graeco-Roman tradition as distinct from the classical Indian tradition.  It is possible that at a subconscious level the artist was clearly indicating to his European critics of the period, that his style adopted more from his own Indian traditions rather than from any European precursors and remained far from merely derivative of either.