a poetry of inanimate objects: the beauty of still life art
Flowers have been a significant theme in still-life art for centuries. Artists use flowers to create compositions that are both visually stunning and emotionally evocative. The natural beauty of flowers and their delicate textures make them ideal subjects for exploring the play of light and shadow, colour and form. Additionally, flowers often symbolise love, life, and death, allowing artists to imbue their work with deeper meaning and symbolism. In its upcoming ‘Collectors Choice’ Auction, AstaGuru will present several beautiful creations of still life art executed by eminent modernists of India. Here is a look at these lots.
Lot no: 1: Untitled by Horace Van Ruith
The presented lot is a beautiful still life work by UK-based artist Horace Van Ruith who visited India in the 1880s. With his artistic sensibilities profoundly impacted by the visit, he created a series of Oriental paintings capturing the places and life of people in India. This still-life work depicts a beautiful arrangement of roses and summer blooms in a vase. The delicate flowers are rendered with vivid colours and intricate details, showcasing the artist's skill and mastery. A serene work, it captures the beauty and abundance of nature. This work was executed with watercolour on paper.
Lot no. 90: Still Life With Skull by F. N. Souza
This vivid work titled ‘Still Life With Skull’ was executed with acrylic on canvas in 1984 by artist F.N. Souza. One of the few Modernists in India who embraced the genre of still life with great enthusiasm. Here he amalgamates his inspiration from the medieval Latin Christian concept of memento mori, which contemplates mortality and the inevitability of death. This theory is closely associated with the genre of vanitas paintings, which similarly explores ideas about the fleeting nature of life. Both of these art forms gained popularity in 17th-century Europe, a time of religious fervour when many people viewed their lives as mere preparation for the afterlife.
Lot no. 102: Untitled by Paramjit Singh
The presented work by artist Paramjit Singh is a unique fusion of his imaginary landscapes with the genre of still life. Singh's exploration of memory and the visceral is apparent in his paintings, imbued with a sense of palpability yet shrouded in mystery. His fictitious landscapes, boundless and without pictorial depth, are both quiet and chaotic. Through dynamic brushstrokes and brilliant flecks of colour, the forms of nature are suggested and hinted at, resulting in familiar yet otherworldly environments. This work was executed with oil on canvas in 2012.
Lot no. 111: Untitled by Lalu Prasad Shaw
The presented work is by artist Lalu Prasad Shaw, who is known for his works inspired by everyday life, depicting simple objects and events. Shaw's portrayal of single figures and still life is done in a sophisticated and indigenous style. Growing up in rural Bengal, his work is informed by his indigenous sensibilities, and he often depicts ordinary folks from everyday life. He has a particular fascination with the middle-class Babu culture of 19th and early 20th-century Bengal, and many of his male characters reflect that spirit. Shaw's works are imbued with subtle humour and irony. He has exhibited his art widely across India and around the world and has played a seminal role in shaping the language of modern Indian art. This work was executed with tempera on paper in 2011.
Lot no. 173: Untitled by K.H. Ara
This beautiful work comes from the oeuvre of artist K. H. Ara, best known for his still-life paintings. Ara's still-life paintings often feature everyday objects such as fruits, flowers, and utensils, arranged in dynamic and complex compositions. He had a keen eye for detail, and his paintings are characterised by the precision with which he rendered each object. Ara's use of vivid colours and bold brushstrokes adds a sense of energy and dynamism to his compositions. Krishnaji Howlaji Ara's still-life works are a testament to his skill as an artist and his ability to capture the beauty of everyday objects. His unique style and use of colour and composition have made his works highly sought after by collectors and art lovers around the world. This work was executed with watercolour on paper in 1971.
Lot no.177: Still Life With A Brown Vase by P.T. Reddy
This untitled still-life painting is a creation by P.T. Reddy, a multifaceted artist. Primarily working with painting, etching, and sculptures, he was also a trained muralist drawing inspiration from Rajput and Pahari miniature styles. His works are characterised by a unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements. Reddy's still-life compositions often featured a variety of objects, including fruits, flowers, utensils, and textiles, arranged in dynamic and intricate arrangements. This work was executed with oil on paper in 1990.
The collection of around 200 lots in the upcoming Collector’s Choice auction traces different periods of Modern Indian Art with exceptional creations by revered names such as Nicholas Roerich, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, S H Raza, Jehangir Sabavala, Akbar Padamsee, K H Ara, Arpana Caur, Sakti Burman, K K Hebbar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Ganesh Pyne, Krishen Khanna, Jogen Chowdhury, and Manu Parekh, amongst several other eminent artists. The auction is scheduled for March 29-30, 2023. Visit our website to register for bidding and view the entire catalogue.
About AstaGuru
AstaGuru was conceptualised in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Indian, Contemporary & Modern Art. The word AstaGuru is a thoughtful conjugation of ‘Asta’, of Italian origin, which translates to auction and ‘Guru’, Sanskrit connotation for ‘master’ that indicates our distinguished finesse at being the leaders of auctioneering art and artefacts in India as well as globally. With the world melting into one harmonious digital cosmos, AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectables. Our diverse portfolio includes categories such as Jewellery & Fine Silver, Timepieces, Textiles, Celebrity Memorabilia, Rare Books, Numismatic, Philately and Vintage Cars. AstaGuru’s mobile app enables our esteemed bidders to follow and participate in our auctions seamlessly, and in real-time.
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