Osian's Auction Catalogue The Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series | October 2004

101 THE MASTERPIECES & MUSEUM-QUALITY SERIES 67 K.K. HEBBAR [1911–96/ b . Kattingeri, Karnataka] Dancer Signed in English l.r. Oil on canvas, c .1963 75.0 x 60.0 cm (29.5 x 23.6 in) Rs. 800,000 – 900,000 $ 17,300 – 19,450 £ 9,475 – 10,650 ‘Hebbar has drawn heavily on Indian dance, folk and classical. The lyricism, grace and rhythmic quality of dance has found ample expression in his drawings. The human figure has always been an important motif in his works. His paintings form one total concept both on the conscious and inituitive level. There is no attempt at Chiaroscuro, the line or its stimulation is unequivocal. The application of colour was flat during the early years but later on it acquired a vibrating textural effect.. His compositions have become simpler and relaxed with a much more imaginative rendering of space.. His imagery has distinctly moved in a formal direction with more self- assurance.’ – S.A.Krishnan, rpt. in LKC 10 September 1969; p28. 68 Laxman PAI [ b . 1926, Madgaon, Goa] Moonlight S/d in English & Devanagari l.l. & titled on verso Oil on canvas, 1963 81.0 x 45.0 cm (31.9 x 17.7 in) Rs. 250,000 – 325,000 $ 5,400 – 7,000 £ 2,950 – 3,850 ‘ Pai has ever abided by the perennial source of his inspiration – man and nature.... His response to his surroundings, to the thrills of life and experience, has been immediate and intense... Pai has a mind which soars high in the realm of fancy... His women appear in their pristine form, the womanly attributes become symbolical and are reduced to elemental motifs, like fruits, flowers and foliage. This concept, Purusha and Prakriti , corresponds to the conventional Indian idea of man and nature.’ – S.A.Krishnan, rpt. in Laxman Pai. LKA 1971.