MF Husain Masterpieces Highlight Christies Sale of South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art
New York- Christies is pleased to announce the Fall sale of South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art
taking place on September 13 The sale will present a magnificent array of works from the 20th and
21st centuries featuring works by renowned modernists including Syed Haider Raza Francis Newton
Souza and Tyeb Mehta Also featured in the sale are several works by the late Maqbool Fida Husain
who passed away in June 2011 As a tribute to the master Christies has secured a selection of
extremely important masterpieces including works from the Keehn Family Collection
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Christies is honored to present property from the Keehn
Family Collection a true gem of Indian art collecting
Thomas and Martha Keehn became involved with the
emerging modern Indian art movement after moving to
India in 1953 In 1956 the Keehns hosted the most
significant exhibition of its time 8 Painters held in New
Dehli Several works from this exhibition are being offered
in this sale Highlights from this collection include Husainrsquos
Yatra (illustrated above estimate $300000-500000) and
Ram Kumarrsquos Untitled (Boy and Goat) (estimate $200000-300000)
Another work by MF Husain is Untitled (Horses) 1959 (illustrated right estimate $120000-180000)
Through the uninhibited use of impasto in this work Husain conveys the sense of raw unimpeded
power of a herd of wild and untamed horses
MF Husainrsquos Untitled ( The Three Graces) (estimate $400000 ndash
750000) is a monumental painting looking towards ancient Greek
mythology depicting the three attendants of Eros and Aphrodite
Euphrosyne Thalia and
Aglaia Husainrsquos choice of
these sensuous and
immortal women from
ancient Greece a subject
frequently depicted by Old
Masters demonstrates his
ability to seamlessly meld
international influences into
his distinctive style
Tyeb Mehtarsquos Untitled (Man
vs Horse) (illustrated left estimate $300000-500000) is one
of the earliest larger scale paintings by the artist from his
formative years Inspired by Picassorsquos Jeune garccedilon au cheval
(Boy Leading a Horse) 1906 this work explores the
communality of man and animal in powerful Cubist forms
Other highlights in the sale include Imported Plant by Bikash Bhattacharjee (illustrated bottom right
estimate $80000-100000) An excellent example of his oeuvre Imported Plant from the Times of
India Group Collection exhibits the meticulous handling of paint and color imbuing this work with a
naturalistic perfection that is remarkably beautiful
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Shibu Natesanrsquos Fly the Sky (estimate $30000-50000)
conjures dream-like images from fragments of
memories of his native South India This magnificent
work depicts two men flying in a bright blue sky full of
cumulus clouds as two other men watch in awe Using
different figure sizes in varying proportions Natesan
employs Reneacute Magrittersquos technique to make space
tangible
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
FRANCIS NEWTON SOUZA (1924-2002)
Townscape
oil on canvas
24 frac14 x 14 frac34 (54 x 375 cm)
Painted in 1955
Estimate $180000 ndash 220000
SYED HAIDER RAZA (B 1922)
Rencontre
oil on canvas
39 38 x 39 38 in (100 x 100 cm)
Painted in 1977
Estimate $80000 ndash 120000
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RINA BANERJEE (B 1963)
A World Made of Nature Created her Untidy Beauty
Captured her Maker rsquo s Eye but not Once but Thrice
ldquoCulturerdquo who Played her a Fool Maimed her Walk
and Unsweetened her Magic ink acrylic and mica on paper
21 frac34 x 29 frac34 in (553 x 757 cm)
Estimate $12000-18000
PRAJAKTA PALAV AHER (B 1979)
Untitled - I (Ganesha on a Train)
acrylic on canvas
95 x 77 18 in (2413 x 196 cm)
Painted in 2007
Estimate $18000-25000
Auction South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art September 13 at 10 am Viewing Christiersquos Rockefeller Galleries September 9-12
About Christiersquos
Christiersquos the worlds leading art business had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2011 that totaled pound20 billionUS$32 billion In 2010 it achieved global auction and private sales of pound33 billionUS$50 billion Christiersquos is aname and place that speaks of extraordinary art unparalleled service and expertise as well as international glamourFounded in 1766 by James Christie Christies conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th 19th and 20th centuries andtoday remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful Christiersquos offers over 450 sales annually in over 80categories including all areas of fine and decorative arts jewellery photographs collectibles wine and more Pricesrange from US$200 to over US$100 million Christiersquos has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world
including in London New York Paris Geneva Milan Amsterdam Zurich Dubai and Hong Kong More recentlyChristiersquos has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia China India and theUnited Arab Emirates with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing Mumbai and DubaiEstimates do not include buyerrsquos premium Sales totals are hammer price plus buyerrsquos premium and do not reflect costs financing fees or application of buyerrsquos or sellerrsquos credits
Images available on request
Visit Christiersquos Website at wwwchristiescom Complete catalogue available online at wwwchristiescom or via the Christiersquos iPhone app
