Jehangir Sabavala
(1922 - 2011)
Munger Sky - II
Born in 1922, Jehangir Sabavala studied art in Bombay, London, and Paris. Practicing in the modernist mode, this artist carefully constructs his infinite, tranquil land and seascapes out of precise wedges of color. It is his intention, through these works, to convey the spirit of a place in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The present lot is part of a series of canvases Sabavala was inspired to create by the vistas he encountered on a yoga...
Born in 1922, Jehangir Sabavala studied art in Bombay, London, and Paris. Practicing in the modernist mode, this artist carefully constructs his infinite, tranquil land and seascapes out of precise wedges of color. It is his intention, through these works, to convey the spirit of a place in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The present lot is part of a series of canvases Sabavala was inspired to create by the vistas he encountered on a yoga retreat in Munger, a small town on the coast of the Ganges river. Using the subdued palette and planar construction he is known for, the artist deftly captures the quiet beauty of this environment, an ideal location for meditation and renewal. As Sabavala explains, Munger left an indelible impression on him: “I cannot surrender myself before a guru, or expose my emotions nakedly to another`s scrutiny. So the life of the acolyte is not for me. But, this notwithstanding, I cherish the time I have spent at the ashrama in Munger, with its discipline and tranquility, its sense of being outside of time” (Ranjit Hoskote, The Crucible of Painting: The Art of Jehangir Sabavala, Emminence Designs Pvt. Ltd., 2005, p. 217).
In an effort to capture this vastness and timelessness on canvas, Sabavala breaks the surface into parallel bands of water, beach, lush forest, and endless sky, broken only by a single palm, and a few lazy birds and clouds gliding across it. In eliminating all signs of human habitation, the artist emphasizes the primacy of nature, and how important it is for humans to respect it, and return to it for nourishment and spiritual sustenance.
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Lot
7
of
130
SUMMER AUCTION 2007
6-7 JUNE 2007
Estimate
Rs 45,00,000 - 55,00,000
$112,500 - 137,500
Winning Bid
Rs 57,50,000
$143,750
(Inclusive of Buyer's Premium)
ARTWORK DETAILS
Jehangir Sabavala
Munger Sky - II
Signed and dated in English (lower center)
2004
Oil on canvas
45.5 x 39.5 in (115.6 x 100.3 cm)
Category: Painting
Style: Landscape
ARTWORK SIZE:
Height of Figure: 6'