Sheikh Mohammed Sultan

Acquired from a gallery in Dhaka, circa early 1990s

Thence by descent

'On first looking at S M Sultan’s paintings, one gets the impression of vastness and strength.' (S. Islam, Bangladesh Art: Collection of Contemporary Paintings, Society for Promotion of Bangladesh Art, Dhaka, 2003, p. 53)

Hailing from rural Bangladesh, Sheikh Mohammed Sultan displayed an interest in art from an early age and joined the Calcutta At School, but did not stay long enough to earn a degree. Instead, Sultan embraced a transient existence that included stops in Pakistan (where he grew close with Sadequain), the US and the UK before he returned to Bangladesh on the eve of independence and settled down in his birthplace of Narail.

Sultan remained in Narail for the remainder of his life, with his artistic practice largely revolving around capturing the daily rhythms of life in his hometown – 'after his return to Bangladesh, he became a figure painter, a people’s artist, depicting the life and labours of the poor peasants.' (S. Amjad Ali, Painters of Pakistan, National Book Foundation, Islamabad, 1995, p. 323)

The present lot captures a bucolic scene. Two cows are depicted with their backs to the viewer, gazing out over a peaceful village that is sheltered by a copse of trees. Featuring the bold line work characteristic of Sultan’s oeuvre, Untitled is a testament to the beauty of the Bangladeshi countryside.