Osian's Auction Catalogue Masterpieces and Museum-Quality III | March 2004

126 OSIAN’S 58 SADANAND BAKRE (b.1920 / Baroda, Gujarat) Flame Under the Sea Signed in English and s/d in Devanagiri l.r. & inscribed on verso Oil on canvas, 1960 39.2 x 50.0 cm (15.4 x 19.7 in) Rs. 400,000 – 500,000 US$ 8,900 – 11,100 GB£ 4,900 – 8,950 “ His sculpture clearly influences his painting, giving it a marked third dimension; his least naturalistic works give the impression of objects suspended in space. And again, he regards texture as a vital part of a picture. One of the most remarkable things about Bakre is that when he paints he imagines himself as being on the far side of his subject…. His paintings have become less and less naturalistic over the years, but each work still represents something that he sees first in his mind’s eye.” (Art Critic, ‘Indian Artist Exhibits’, rpt. in The Times Educational Supplement, London, 10 February 1961.) Not for sale / Illustration only Spiky Sculpture Metal, 1965 OSIANs S.I.R. ANALYSIS [2001992–2003] Present Estimate 1,318.5 Previous High 274.71 [Os.Mum/27.11.03] Auction Average 289.84 Opinion Of all the Progressives, Bakre is the most underpriced and his work least exposed, along with Gade. The brilliant sculptures of the 1950-60s have yet to be seen by the collecting fratenity, thereafter his market will sustain a closer proximity to the more well established & recognised members of the P.A.G.