Important Notice

Regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Indian art, Akbar Padamsee is highly versatile in his execution of works. His experiments with portraiture began sometime in the 1950s.

Padamsee belonged to a generation of Indian modern artists who made their "life's work a space to stage large existential questions" (Annapurna Garimella, "Re-situating Akbar Padamsee: A Sociology of Figuration", Akbar Padamsee: Work in Language, Mumbai: Marg... Regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Indian art, Akbar Padamsee is highly versatile in his execution of works. His experiments with portraiture began sometime in the 1950s.

Padamsee belonged to a generation of Indian modern artists who made their "life's work a space to stage large existential questions" (Annapurna Garimella, "Re-situating Akbar Padamsee: A Sociology of Figuration", Akbar Padamsee: Work in Language, Mumbai: Marg Publications, 2010, p80). In his search for uniqueness, his works show sublimity with passing decades. His works form a thematic sequence and represent his thoughts.

This 2006 portrait shows a skilful deployment of sepia tones that bring out a troubled pensiveness. With the advent of the 2000s, Padamsee's portraits were already showing a mellowness not seen in his previous works. Padamsee comments on his sepia paintings, pointing out that "the brush moves in a continuum, from resolute to irresolute, at times defined, at other times undefined..." (Saryu Doshi, "Shades of Grey", Akbar Padamsee: Work in Language, Mumbai: Marg Publications, 2010, p191). This resolution is seen in the features-the beard, the eyes, the creasing of the eyebrows-drawing the attention of the viewer and inviting him to engage with the subject.

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