Osian's Auction Catalogue Select Masterpieces of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art | June 2009

71 32 Sailoz Mookherjea (1907 – 1960) Palms in Landscape Pastel & gouache on paper, 1950 Signed in English ‘Sailoz’ l.l. 18.7 x 13.4 in (47.6 x 34.2 cm) Chemould Frames label present on verso INR 800,000 – 1,000,000 National Art Treasure Non–Exportable Item Sailoz Mookherjea’s works are emblematic of a different stream, also represented by Amrita Sher-Gil, with their focus on the rural subjects, imbibing the swiftness and immediacy of folk art. In 1950 a Retrospective exhibition of his works was held in New Delhi, and a year later his works were also displayed at an exhibition Salon de Mai, Paris. “In his [Sailoz Mookherjea] treatment of landscape he creates spaces organically by the movement of colour rather than by any clearly indicated recession. The trees evoke a fairy-tale atmosphere and provide the setting for some poetic event. Often the whole composition surges with rhythm now delicate and grave, now tumultuous and free. His arrangements are usually asymmetric and daringly balanced...Sailoz’s second period (1949 – 59) includes the mature phase of his art and the paintings of this decade represent the consolidation of the style. His work is much more confident and loose, spontaneous and lyrical.” – Jaya Appasamy, rpt. in Sailoz Mookherjea (Monograph) , LKA, 1966.