Osian's Auction Catalogue Indian Modern Contemporary Fine Arts | October 2018

Provenance Acquired directly from Jamini Roy’s daughter-in-law Mina Roy who inherited the painting upon the passing away of her husband Moni Roy. This Lot will be accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity from Mina Roy. Jamini Roy b. 11 April 1887 – d. 24 April 1972 Christ Series Tempera on mat pasted on cardboard, Late 1940s 36.2 x 23.2 in (92.0 x 59.0 cm) Signed in Bengali ‘Jamini Roy’ l.r. Condition Surface dirt with minor fungal attack which will require cleaning ` 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 $ 16,670 – 25,000 15 National Art Treasure | Non-Exportable Item ‘It is likely that Jamini Roy turned to painting on woven sheets of palm leaves from his imitation of mosaics, though the reverse too may be true. There are some paintings on surfaces which were prepared in the imitation of the chequered textures of ‘Chatais’ or coarsely woven mats. The surface had been prepared by pasting small squares of thin paper board on a plain surface. During the attempts to find out his rationale, I was told by Panchanan Panda, the artist’s long serving attendant, that he had prepared these imitation palm leaf sheets when no readymade real ‘Chatai’ sheet was easily available.’ Paritosh Sen rpt. in Jamini Roy – The Grand Patua. CMC Art Gallery, January 1991 ExC. His work is built on solid ground, open and without pretence; it is based on universals of form which are understood by all who know art, whether from the East or West. The integrity of his art exists in the sincerity of his craftsmanship. It is a moral value which irritates his detractors, eludes his imitators and makes his work the standard against which contemporary Indian painting is to be measured. Stella Kramrisch rpt in The Art Of Jamini Roy: A Centenary Volume ExC the Birla Academy of Art & Culture 1987; p.22