Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in 1924, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde received his diploma in painting from the Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai, and was a member of the Progressive Artists’ Group. He is considered one of India's most profound and evocative artists, playing a vital role in establishing the foundations of abstraction in Indian art. Gaitonde’s work was deeply influenced by Zen philosophy and ancient calligraphy, resulting in compositions characterised by an inherent structure and control within a stream-of-consciousness approach. The reclusive master experimented profoundly with form and shape, creating works that evoke subliminal depths and transform basic elements into platforms for spiritual introspection.

Throughout his lifetime, Gaitonde exhibited extensively in India and abroad, and his enduring significance is evidenced by his frequent setting of new auction records and major institutional recognition. This includes a retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum, New York, in 2014–15, and his inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art, New York. He received several prestigious honours during his career, notably the Padma Shri in 1971, first prize at the Young Asian Artists’ Exhibition, Tokyo, in 1957, and the J.D. Rockefeller III Fellowship in 1964. The artist passed away in 2001.