Travelling around the countryside has always been a great source of inspiration for visual artists. The natural beauty of the countryside, with its vast landscapes, rolling hills, serene rivers, and colourful flowers and trees, can inspire painters to create breathtaking artworks. The changing seasons with their unique colours and textures, provide a constantly changing canvas for artists to capture the beauty of nature. The tranquillity and peacefulness of the countryside can also be reflected in the paintings, creating a sense of serenity and calmness in the viewer. In its upcoming 'Collectors Choice' Auction, AstaGuru will present a finely curated selection of such landscape works. These works belonging to artists from different regions and periods reflect their love for nature and capture its abundance in its full glory. Here is a glimpse into some of these exquisite creations. The auction is scheduled for March 29-30, 2023.

Lot no. 3: Untitled work by Walter Langhammer

Presented above is a brilliant landscape painting by Walter Langhammer, who is considered to be one of the forces behind the making of the Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group. An accomplished artist himself, Langhammer reached India in 1938, trying to flee the Nazi persecution in Austria during the Second World War. Soon he was recognised as a key personality in the Indian art scene during the 1940s and started mentoring young artists of the generation. He would invite artists to his studio on Nepean Sea Road to discuss developments of Indian and European art at the time. As an artist, Langhammer extensively travelled in India and painted the rustic countryside rendered in brilliant colours with broad, loose strokes. He also created portraits in European impasto styles and exhibited frequently at the Bombay Art Society.

Lot no. 16: Untitled work by B.L. Mukerji

This work was created by artist Biswanath Mukerji in 1953, who is best known for his beautiful landscape works. However, at the same time, Mukerji rarely employed the use of white to lighten them. Instead, he allowed the paper's natural paleness to emanate light. His landscape paintings often possessed a three-dimensional depth, particularly in those featuring dense foliage. Mukerji also utilised a variety of blue shades, including ink blues, to impart a melancholic air to his works. Mukerji's miniature landscape paintings were remarkable for their intricate details, as they appeared almost jewel-like in their luminosity and transparency despite their small size.

Lot no. 17: Manali, The Beas by Radha Charan Bagchi

This beautiful work capturing the bounty of the Beas river in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, comes from the oeuvre of artist Radha Charan Bagchi. Born in 1910, Bagchi developed a unique artistic style that was recognizable as his own. He was a versatile artist who worked with various mediums, including oil, tempera, watercolour, drypoint, etching, linocut, and lithography.

Lot no. 18: Landscape by S. L. Haldankar

The above presented landscape work is by artist S.L. Haldankar, renowned for his use of light and shade, which he employed to create depth and dimension in his paintings. His mastery of colour was also evident in his work, as he used a range of hues to capture the intricate details of his subjects.
S L Haldankar's art is a testament to his skill and creativity as a painter. His realistic and detailed style, combined with his use of light and colour, has made his work highly regarded in the art world, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.

Lot no. 22 & 23: Untitled by M.V Dhurandhar

 

Each of the above two lots is a set of five works by India’s old master M.V. Dhurandhar.  Dhurandhar's landscape paintings capture the beauty and majesty of the Indian countryside. He was particularly interested in portraying the rural landscapes of Maharashtra, where he grew up. His paintings often depict rolling hills, lush forests, and tranquil water bodies such as lakes and rivers. He also frequently incorporated human figures and animals in his works, adding a sense of life and movement to his landscapes.

Lot no. 40: Untitled by artist Gopal Ghose

The above presented creation is by artist Gopal Ghose, who was really fascinated with the Indian landscape and travelled extensively all over India for inspiration. His landscapes were even admired by people like Jawaharlal Nehru because they succeeded in capturing the grandeur and majesty that he witnessed in his surroundings. His approach toward nature and landscapes bring to mind the sense of pleasure that poets like Wordsworth used to get from their natural surroundings.

Lot no. 197: The Blossoms by Paresh Maity

The above presented is a beautiful work by artist Paresh Maity, known for his stunning watercolour landscapes. Paresh Maity's life is closely intertwined with his travels, which in turn, influence his works of art. As an avid and tireless explorer, he has journeyed across continents, drawing inspiration from the diverse landscapes, monuments, history, and people he encounters along the way.  His works often feature vast expanses of sky and water, with the use of soft and subtle colours to create a calming and peaceful effect. Maity's paintings are characterised by his masterful handling of the medium, creating a sense of light and depth through the use of washes and subtle shading. His compositions are often panoramic in scale, capturing the vastness and beauty of the natural world.

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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