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

55 Indian Modern Contemporary Fine Arts “Two elements remain predominant in his work throughout – colour and line. Like many artists of his generation he too believed in mastering all techniques and media. His technical versatility still makes Bendre unique among the living artists of India and has been an asset to him as a teacher… His paint surfaces are literally speaking beautiful, with carefully blended tones and methodically applied colour changes. He leaves nothing to chance. There are no smudgy or murky patches. On the basis of these qualities one could compare him with the 17th century French painter Poussin. Like him too Bendre represents in his painting at once a classical and romantic attitude – his structure being classical and his approach to colour romantic.” Ratan Parimoo rpt. in Studies in Modern Indian Art , Kanak Publications, 1975, pp. 47-8 “With the inclusion of the hues and even the inclusion of the black colour which are Expressionist traits, Bendre rather successfully attempted a sort of telescoping of the late nineteenth century French Impressionist style with the German Expressionist style of the second decade of the twentieth century… Langhammer brought into India Kokoschka’s style of panoramic landscapes. Similar hues of colour were employed by Bendre to replace the mellow colour scheme of the existing Indore school as if to usher in the celebration of the Indian sunshine.” Prof. Ratan Parimoo rpt. in Indian Art Exhibition: N.S. Bendre EXC., [organised by Individuals Cultural Centre] Abhinav Art Gallery, Jammu 1992. Osian’s, 26 March 2004 (Lot 10) Fishing at Mahim Harbour, Bombay Oil on canvas pasted on board, 1940 | 18.7 x 23.8 in Osian’s, 20 March 2010 (Lot 15) Boat Oil on paper, 1945 | 21.6 x 29.9 in Osian’s, 9 February 2005 (Lot 121) Boats Watercolour on paper, 1940 | 21.2 x 29.2 in Osian’s, 20 March 2010 (Lot 16) Mahim Beach Study (Double-sided) Watercolour on paper, 1954 & 1970 | 12.0 x 14.8 in Illustrative Reference