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

82 OSIAN’s – Connoisseurs of Art F. N. Souza b. 12 April 1924 – d. 28 March 2002 Townscape Oil on board, 1959 20.0 x 29.8 in (50.7 x 75.8 cm) S/d ‘Souza 59’ t.r. Inscribed ‘F.N.Souza, Townscape, 1959’ along with a Label ‘Daler Board For Oils, England’ on verso ` 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 $ 55,560 – 83,330 Full DPS image on pp.80-81 Provenance Acquired directly from the artist F. N. Souza during the mid 1960s by a Mumbai-based art collector. 29 The most interesting thing is the qualityofSouza’sbrushwork,which is very free and rhythmic. The lines representing the minimum details are partly narrative, stylized and incisive. A simplification of colours and form. There is a movement and weight in the lines of the figures with sensations and ideas. Especially in his nude painting and in paintings like ‘Portraits of Progressive Artists’ a broad black outline, simple dark shadows and brilliant areas of light making the work powerful and marvellously handled paint in which he was influenced by Georges Rouault. Vinod Kumar rpt. in Lalit Kala Contemporary Journal No.32 April 1985; p.43