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

89 MASTERPIECES & MUSEUM-QUALITY III This collection of drawings represents a very rare opportunity to own a significant number of remarkably high quality charcoal & conte works, all executed during 1959-60 (considered by many connoisseurs to represent one of the very best periods of Sunil Das’ artistic output during which he won his Lalit Kala National Award & 10 state level awards), in one large folio-sized sketchbook, covering many brilliant drawings, especially on the Horse & Jockey and Ballet Series. “ His lines and forms even when most semantic are most self-expressive. The horses in his charcoal are no winner riders under complete control of a master jockey. The lines and strokes, unfailing though in their representational function, often go awry, swirl past the animal’s legs or magnificently moulded sides swing up in energetic curves or twirl in the tail to capture the whole gamut of a free, untamed spirit that is as much the artist’s as that of his subject.” (Manasij Majumdar, rpt. in Many Faces of Sunil Das EXC. Gallerie Ganesha 1996.)