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Bikash Bhattacharjee (1940-2006)
Description
- Bikash Bhattacharjee
- And the Twilight
- Signed and dated 'Bikash '79' lower right and inscribed '"- AND THE TWILIGHT" / ARTIST:- BIKASH BHATTACHARJEE / ADDRESS:- 2D NABO KUMAR RAHA LANE, / CALCUTTA - 7000 004 / INDIA' on reverse
- Oil on canvas
- 41 by 47 in. (106 by 120.7 cm.)
- Painted in 1979
Provenance
Literature
K. Singh ed., Manifestations IX, 75 Artists: 20th Century Indian Art, New Delhi, Delhi Art Gallery, 2013, illustrated p. 112
Condition
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The present work is part of an early series on Calcutta cityscapes. The city's facades appear repeatedly in his works as metaphors signifying urban decay. A gifted colourist, Bhattacharjee achieved mastery in capturing the quality of light, a time-honoured skill harkening back to the Dutch Old Masters like Rembrandt. The heightened tonal and textural effects in these works infuse them with realism and simultaneously capturing a mood of foreboding and alienation. The use of light and shadow creates a three-dimensional effect that seems to bring the scene to life, yet the presence of a single solitary woman creates a distance with the viewer and imparts a sombre tone to the painting.