KRISHNAJI HOWLAJI ARA | Untitled (Still life with flowers)

Acquired directly from the artist in late 1980s

There is cracking in areas of thicker impasto and various pigment losses amongst the vase and flowers. There are undulations to the canvas along with minor frame abrasions and associated losses along the edges. This work would benefit from consolidation. The colors are brighter in reality.
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.

Through his affiliation with the Progressive Artists' Group, Krishnaji Howlaji Ara was introduced to several art critics of the time, most notably, Rudi von Leyden who was an art critic for the Times of India as well as an artist, cartoonist and photographer. Jobless and penniless, Ara was given a small stipend by von Leyden and encouraged to focus solely on his craft. It was due to von Leyden's encouragement and generosity that Ara's career blossomed. After experimenting with watercolors Ara turned to oil paints. Abandoning the brash, jagged strokes used to execute his earlier work, Ara began to paint with careful, studied precision and the even distribution of color. Still-lifes were one of Ara’s most popular choices of subject matter however due to his financial circumstances, his oils on canvas are rare and were mostly painted as commissions as he could not easily afford working in this expensive medium.