Osian's Auction Catalogue Indian Modern Fine Arts | June 2017

16 Jamini Roy (1887 – 1972) Group of FOUR Rare Sketches by National Art Treasure Jamini Roy Including one very rare Pencil Sketch a,b,c. Pen & ink on paper, nd a. 7.1 x 4.9 in (18.0 x 12.4 cm) b. 3.2 x 4.7 in (8.2 x 12.0 cm) c. 4.1 x 5.2 in (10.4 x 13.2 cm) d. Pencil on paper pasted on card paper, nd (Mid 1950s) 8.5 x 8.3 in (21.5 x 21.0 cm) Provenance Acquired directly from Jamini Roy’s Family Collection by Kolkata-based art dealer; later purchased by present owner from Osian’s in November 2003. INR 100,000 – 150,000 USD 1,563 – 2,344 National Art Treasure Non-Exportable Item Set of 4 a b The real answer to his inner quest Jamini Roy found in the folk art of Bengal in dolls and toys, in scrolls and patas, which illustrate the simplicity of expression, symbolic quality and purity of form of Indian art…He realised that the elemental truth of art has been best illustrated by the work of the patuas and by the village craftsmen where form and technique are very simple and easily communicated. Jamini started borrowing the anatomy of his figures from the world of childhood and he felt that his paintings would be like the simple drawings of a child—spontaneous and coherent…The pen and ink sketches of Jamini Roy are unique and as important as his paintings. [He] drew these sketches as layouts for his paintings. All his sketches enclosed by frame are simple, concise and accentuated with a plastic quality. Sm. Sipra Chakravarti in ‘Jamini Roy & His Paintings’ , rpt. in Album of Art Treasures – Paintings of Jamini Roy. Indian Museum, Calcutta, 1991. JaminiRoy’ssketchesareillustrated in many publications, such as: Trends & Traditions: Eighty Glorious Years . [Dhoomimal Gallery: 2017]; pp.31-5. “Visual stimulus was the indicator, not precise, nor close they are lively imperfect and have small volumes that are delightfully quaint, flexibility and fluidity make these works come alive, he builds a mythic and very Bengali world...” Ibid , p.34. c c verso 48 | Osian’s–Connoisseurs of Art