Osian's Auction Catalogue Indian Modern and Contemporary Art | March 2008

28 8 D.P. Roy Chowdhury (1899 – 1975) Crane Series Signed in Bengali ‘Devi Prosad’, l.r. Watercolour on paper pasted on board, mid 1940s 19.7 x 15.0 in (50.2 x 38.0 cm) INR 800,000 – 1,000,000 USD 20,000 – 25,000 7 D.P. Roy Chowdhury (1899 – 1975) Bamboo in the Wind Signed in Bengali ‘Devi Prosad Roy Chowdhury’ t.l. Artist seal present t.l. Watercolour on fabric pasted on board, early 1940s 23.9 x 12.7 in (60.5 x 32.2 cm) Condition Some tears present in canvas near centre and l.c. INR 800,000 – 1,000,000 USD 20,000 – 25,000 ‘Basically, Deviprasad’s painting at the early stage of his artistic career was very much in the technique followed by Abanindranath. The fluency of line of the Chinese calligraphy, the chiaroscuroic effect of the Western Schools, the Japanese wash technique are all there manifestly recorded…But when we see Deviprasad setting his theme in an open landscape, he is freer and animated by the association of hills and dales, rocks and trees, clouds and rains. He becomes more attuned to his elements in trying to infuse the natural phenomena with a decorative expression.’ – Prodosh Das Gupta, rpt. in The Art of D.P.Roy Chowdhury BAAC ExC 1989.