Page 125 - Historic-Masterpieces-Dec24

Lot No. 64
V S GAITONDE

1924-2001

UNTITLED
11.3 x 9.3 in (28.7 x 23.6 cm)
Ink on paper
1985
Signed & Dated: Bottom Right

` 20,00,000 - 30,00,000 | $ 24,691 - 37,037

Provenance: Property from a collection based in Mumbai

From the 1960s onwards, enigmatic patterns and
calligraphic forms began to emerge in V S Gaitonde’s
works. He was captivated by the written languages of
the Indus Valley and Harappan civilisations, as well
as the calligraphy of ancient Egypt. Incorporating
elements of these scripts into his compositions,
he developed a distinctive visual vocabulary. The
calligraphic influences in his paintings materialised as
highly personalised hieroglyphs and inventive markings,
transforming the surface of the medium into a realm
imbued with the artist’s meditations and intuitions.
These abstract symbols reflected Zen principles
of minimalism, spontaneity, and the expression of
inner essence, serving as a medium for Gaitonde to
convey the silence and presence he sought in his art.

By the 1970s, his works became dominated by vertical
compositions featuring intricate textures achieved
through the use of rollers and brushes. The calligraphic
elements grew more prominent, resembling faded
or indistinct figures and hieroglyphs. His remarkable
synthesis of calligraphy and abstraction was a
pivotal contribution to Indian modernism. Gaitonde’s
calligraphic paintings evoke a profound sense of mystery,
spirituality, and the ineffable nature of existence, making
them highly coveted by collectors today.