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

40 19 K.H. Ara (1913 – 1985) Woman & Desire S/d in English ‘ARA 1933’ l.r. Gouache on paper pasted on board, 1933 36.2 x 15.7 in (92.0 x 40.0 cm) INR 3,600,000 – 4,500,000 USD 90,000 – 112,500 ‘ His understanding of formal concepts was quite unique, which is why he painted the human with earnestness as a ‘form,’ not a body. His composition was straightforward and his narration(if at all) belonged to the old school of Indian art tradition. Ara’s artistic concepts were predominantly at the formal level. He dealt with all the canonical aspects of painting with sensitivity and great precision.’ – Anahite Contractor rpt. In Manifestations II. DAG ExC 2004; p45.