Mahasundari Devi

Mahasundari Devi was considered a living legend of painting for her beautiful work and her lifelong commitment to the craft. When she was 39, Devi left the purdah system, veiling practices that enforce women’s seclusion from society, to follow her own path as an artist. She founded an artist society called Mithila Hastashilp Kalakar Audyogki Sahyog Samiti as a way to encourage the growth and development of handicrafts and artists. Devi was a fearless force in the Madhubani artist community with a mission to inspire future generations to empower themselves through the arts. She was recognized for her activism and painting in 2011 when she received the Padma Shri for her contributions to the field of art. The current lot reveals striking details, and is rendered through a kaleidoscope of intricate patterns.