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

160 OSIAN’S 75 M. SENATHIPATHI (b.1939 / Madras, Tamil Nadu) Lovers S/d in English l.r. Watercolour and ink on paper, 1981 161.5 x 114.5 cm (63.6 x 45.1 in) Minor tear in the l.l. section of the painting Rs. 250,000 – 325,000 US$ 5,550 – 7,200 GB£ 3,050 – 3,950 OSIANs S.I.R. ANALYSIS [2001–2003] Present Estimate 87.16 Previous High 120.23 [Os.Mum/19.10.01] Auction Average 289.84 “ He describes his technique briefly: ‘I steep a paper completely in water and when it is damp, begin to draw upon it with black ink. The lines flow gracefully and while the paper is still moist, my composition is almost complete’. At times, due to the speed at which he works, accidental effects are created – smudges and ink spatters in the crevices of the rough surface of the hand made paper – resulting in amazing textures.” (J Sultan Ali, rpt. in The Indian Express , 3 March 1985.)