Bhupen Khakhar
(1934 - 2003)
Untitled (Ratnagiri)
Bhupen Khakhar, a largely self-taught artist, developed a sophisticated pictorial language, employing vibrant oil, gouache, watercolour and acrylic paints. Largely figurative, his work offered commentary on the struggles of day to day life, or incisive observations of the unusual in the mundane. The present lot was painted towards the end of his career. Khakhar's interest in seascapes and fishing communities, which began in the 1970s, finds...
Bhupen Khakhar, a largely self-taught artist, developed a sophisticated pictorial language, employing vibrant oil, gouache, watercolour and acrylic paints. Largely figurative, his work offered commentary on the struggles of day to day life, or incisive observations of the unusual in the mundane. The present lot was painted towards the end of his career. Khakhar's interest in seascapes and fishing communities, which began in the 1970s, finds expression in this picturesque representation of what is probably the mosque and inlet in coastal Ratnagiri. Under an overcast sky, a small fishing community is seen in a cove. Shadowy figures are silhouetted against their catch, in contrast to the detailed rendering of coconut trees. While the landscape creates the atmosphere of the coastal town, the narrative literally unfolds on its fringes. Khakhar encloses the landscape within a red border populated with scenes of coastal life. Painted in gold, these vignettes bring out the vibrancy of the fishing community. This painting ties the genre of figurative narration that Khakhar is best known for, with the tradition of landscape painting.
Read More
Artist Profile
Other works of this artist in:
this auction
|
entire site
Lot
24
of
65
EVENING SALE | MUMBAI, LIVE
Estimate
Rs 1,50,00,000 - 2,00,00,000
Winning Bid
Rs 1,80,00,000
ARTWORK DETAILS
Bhupen Khakhar Untitled (Ratnagiri)
Signed and dated in Gujarati (lower right)
PROVENANCE:
EXHIBITED:Landscapes , Mumbai: Sakshi Gallery, 2002Bhupen Khakhar, A Retrospective , organsied by The Fine Art Resource at Mumbai: National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), 4-26 November 2003Bhupen Khakhar: A Retrospective, Mumbai: The Fine Art Resource, 2003, p. 48 (illustrated)
Category: Painting
ARTWORK SIZE: