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

128 OSIAN ’ s–CONNOISSEURS OF ART 87 K. SREENIVASULU [ 1923-1995/ b . Madras, Tamil Nadu] Women at WaterTank S/d in English l.c. Tempera on paper, 1952 64.1 x 101.8 cm (25.2 x 40.1 in) Rs. 275,000 – 350,000 $ 5,950 – 7,550 £ 3,250 – 4,150 ‘ Sreenivasulu has for inspiration the entire expanse of rich colour- ful Andhra Pradesh apart from his own native Rayalaseema. The dark sinewy, able-bodied men and the fulsome amber coloured neat featured women with their bright vivacious eyes that people his paintings are typically Andhra…There are artists like 88 M.S. SURIYAMOORTHY [b .1944, Neidavasal, Tamil Nadu] All for Food S/d in English l.c. Oil on canvas, 1999 84.1 x 116.0 cm (33.1 x 45.7 in) Rs. 225,000 – 300,000 $ 4,850 – 6,500 £ 2,675 – 3,550 ‘M. Suryamoorthy mixes various indigenous in- gredients to achieve the colours he desires: ground sea-shells, gum from the bark of the trees of his own garden and abhishekam waters for mixing his ingredients. He follows the formulae described in the Siddha medical treatises for achieving different colour combinations.’’– A.S. Ra- man, rpt. in Indian Art: An Overview 2003; p149. Sreenivasulu who are intensely aware of the present and who feel and share the forces of the present in a detached manner although they may not be quite prepared to become ‘modern’. This open-mindedness leaves room to draw upon whatever resources the present has to of- fer...Sreenivasulu delights in ornament, in minute details of jewellery and designs on the gar- ments… he took from Lepakshi the use of dark rich colurs, the sensuous beauty of the female form and the graceful flowing line… His delineation of the human figure is exaggerated and idealistic… stylistically they are near the Tanjore Murals, over- styled and ornate. He paints the faces mostly in profile with a chisel sharp precision, whether the subject is a nayika playing the veena or a simple woman at her toilet.’’– S.A.Krishnan, rpt. in K.Sreenivasulu . LKA 1966.