Osian's Auction Catalogue Forty Masterpieces | March 2003

“Keyt’s paintings are altogether traditional: they are meant to function as screens within which diverse pictographic images are spread. He sometimes even introduces perspective of a primitive kind, but not sufficient to make his paintings ‘windows or stages’: the subjects are almost static, elaborate, and clearly delineated forms in which ancient symbols such as the eye, the sun, and the moon are part of the assemblage. By the very simplicity of his method Keyt has, as it were, set himself apart from all the trends by which contemporary art is classified. That and that alone I think is its greatest claim to greatness.” (S.B. Dissanayake, reprinted in George Keyt. Colombo: The George Keyt Foundation 1993.) The Hand S/d in English, l.l. Oil on canvas, 1974 60.7 x 50.5 cm [23.9 x 19.9 in] Provenance Private Collector, Kolkata Rs. 300,000 – 400,000 $ 6,300 – 8,300 £ 3,800 – 5,000 _ 5,800 – 7,700 88 89 31 GEORGE KEYT [1901-92/ b.Kandy, Ceylon] National Art Treasure of Sri Lanka Os.Mum/ 19.10.2001 Lot 49 Woman Oil on canvas, 1951 68.5 x 40.5 cm ASP: Rs. 315,000