Maqbool Fida HUSAIN (1915-2011) - Lot 4

Maqbool Fida HUSAIN (1915-2011) Progressive Artists' Group Mixed media including charcoal and photographic prints on paper 31.5 x 50.5 cm Framed EXHIBITIONS : - "The Progressive Revolution: Modern Art for a new Inda", The Asian art society, New York, September 14, 2018 to January 20, 2019. - "A Life Loving Working (1953 - 2002) - Janine Mongillat S H Raza", Curated by Catherine David, Gallery I x I modern, Dubai, February 28 to July 31, 2023. Resale rights are the responsibility of the buyer. The condition report is available prior to the sale on request to the following email address: contact@neo-encheres.com. NOTICE This iconic photograph of the Progressive Artists' Group (PAG), taken in 1947, is a powerful visual testimony to the birth of a revolutionary art movement in India. The photograph captures the group's founding members, including F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, K.H. Ara, H.A. Gade, and S.K. Bakre, united in a moment of camaraderie and creativity. These six artists, founders of PAG, played a crucial role in redefining modern Indian art. At the time, India was at a turning point in its history, with independence recently won and a quest for cultural identity in full swing. PAG was formed in response to this context, seeking to break with colonial artistic traditions and embrace a new vision of art that reflected the realities of modern Indian society. As a testament to the historic nature of the work, an enlargement of over 3 meters of this photo has been produced to illustrate the exhibition "The Progressive Revolution: Modern Art for a New India", organized in 2018-2019. This exhibition, presented at the Asia Society in New York, highlighted the revolutionary role of the Progressive Artists' Group in the history of modern art in India. Through an exceptional selection of works, it explored the group's profound influence on the Indian and international art scene, contextualizing their approach in a country in transition after independence. The monumental enlargement of the photo served as the focal point of the exhibition, underlining its historical importance and visual impact. A unique historical testimony: our work, often used as a key illustration in critical and journalistic analyses, is a starting point for understanding the lasting impact of PAG on Indian art. In the article "Affairs of the Art" published by Mumbai Mirror, the group's pioneering role is highlighted, describing how they revolutionized the artistic landscape by adopting a deeply personal and contemporary approach, in tune with the aspirations of a post-colonial India. Our photograph is used in this article to visually illustrate this cultural and artistic transformation. In addition, Art News Views from Aakriti Art Gallery points out that critics such as Rudy von Leyden, Walter Langhammer and Emmanuel Schlesinger played a key role in recognizing and supporting the group's ambitions. The article uses our photo as an emblematic visual representation of their collective spirit and revolutionary mission in the history of modern Indian art. Finally, the analysis entitled "Post-Colonialism in Art in India: More Than Just Paint on Canvas" emphasizes that this photograph illustrates the moment when Indian art truly began to assert itself on the international scene, freeing itself from colonial influences to explore new frontiers. The photograph is at the heart of this article, symbolizing the emergence of an independent and revolutionary artistic voice in India. Photography symbolizes the avant-garde spirit and daring of these artists, who sought to experiment with new forms of expression and address social and political themes through their work. It also illustrates the diversity of artistic styles and ideas within the group, with each member bringing a unique perspective. This frozen moment in time has become emblematic of PAG's creative rebellion and its lasting influence on modern art in India. As such, the work is regularly cited and used to illustrate articles, analyses and exhibitions, reaffirming its status as an inescapable historical artifact.