Osian's Auction Catalogue India The Passionate Detachment | February 2001

56 THE PASSIONATE DETACHMENT 14 NIKHIL BISWAS (1930 — 66) a. Landscape Signed in English, l.l. Watercolour on thin hand-made paper, early 1950s 19.8 x 29.2 cm. (7.8 x 11.5”) b. Woman Preparing Herself Signed in English, l.r. Pen & Ink, late 1950s 28.0 x 38.2 cm. (11.0 x 15.0”) c. Composition for Dance Signed in English, l.r. Pen & Ink, mid 1950s 22.2 x 31.4 cm. (8.7 x 12.4”) d. Man & Horse Series Signed in English, l.r. Pen & Ink, early 1960s 18.1 x 23.9 cm. (7.1 x 9.4”) Rs. 100,000 - 150,000 $ 2,130 - 3,190 (Set of 4) “ He was a modernist to his fingertips without being ‘Modernistic’ or obscure. He did not believe in the traditional character of medieval Indian Art but took a path of bold originality without any element of traditionalism…He specialized in depicting horses with remarkably bold composition rendered with vigour… We can only compare him with the great French artist Rose Bonheur who also specializes in horses… Modern critics may well ask: what is the significance of this artist in presenting horse-flesh in numerous compositions? What is the spiritual meaning underlying this motif? We may offer an explanation. The movement and rapid energy is what is wanted to make our slow and sluggish modern life a symbol of strength, virility and progress.” (Prof.O.C.Ganguly, in Nikhil Biswas’ Retrospective ExC. 1967 ). PAPR Lot 63 So.Lon/ 31.10.00 The Performance Gouache on card, c. 1950 36 x 30 cm. ASP: £ 960/ Rs. 60,359 (£ 1 = Rs. 66.10) a b c d