- 10
Mohan Samant
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- Mohan Samant
- Untitled (Fishermen)
- Signed and dated in Devanagari lower right
- Oil on canvas
- 72.5 x 134.7 cm. (28 ½ x 53 in.)
- Painted in 1946
Provenance
Dölf Amacker went to India around 1948, shortly after independence and worked there as a young engineer. This work was acquired during his stay, between 1948 and 1961.
Condition
There is craquelure present across the surface due to the thickly applied paint. The surface is also undulated. There are minor spots of flaking and paint loss only visible upon very close inspection, 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Mohan Samant hails from a family that encouraged interest in all forms of artistic expression, including music and drama, although Samant displayed an early proficiency and dedication to the visual arts. A member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, he derived inspiration for his practice from five thousand years of art from various civilizations, to develop his unique style. He constantly experimented with materials, techniques and imagery. The beacons of bright colour that punctuate his classic earthy palette is a fine example of this. Early examples of Samant's work represent a high modernist style as influenced by Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee.
A feature of daily life in Mumbai was fishing and many of Samant’s paintings depicted fishermen and women with their catch. As a boy, the artist would attend the local markets and was fascinated by the seafood and their cross-legged vendors sitting on their raised platforms showcasing the array of specialties. In this work we see the boat, the hanging catch and the figures all individually, yet they remain part of a scene. Samant claimed he never knew what a painting was actually ‘about’ until it was almost finished, at which point he would add figures to a work that was more or less abstract.
A feature of daily life in Mumbai was fishing and many of Samant’s paintings depicted fishermen and women with their catch. As a boy, the artist would attend the local markets and was fascinated by the seafood and their cross-legged vendors sitting on their raised platforms showcasing the array of specialties. In this work we see the boat, the hanging catch and the figures all individually, yet they remain part of a scene. Samant claimed he never knew what a painting was actually ‘about’ until it was almost finished, at which point he would add figures to a work that was more or less abstract.