Maqbool Fida Husain (1915-2011)

Acquired privately in 1997

Good overall condition.
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.
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.

Maqbool Fida Husain consistently re-visited this subject matter of Mother Theresa starting from the 1970s. Husain viewed his depictions of Mother Theresa as akin to Madonna in Michelangelo's Pietà  and her saree is a symbol of her protection. As with the Pietà, there is a baby in the arms of Mother Theresa. Husain's mother passed away when he was only three months old leaving him no visual image of her, not even a photograph. It is for this reason that the paintings in this series show the mother figure faceless, as seen in the present example.