Page 154 - Historic-Masterpieces-Dec24

Lot No. 79
S L HALDANKAR

1882-1968

UNTITLED (STILL LIFE)
16 x 18.5 in (40.6 x 47 cm)
Oil on canvas
Circa 1940
Signed: Bottom Right

` 5,00,000 - 7,00,000 | $ 6,173 - 8,642

Provenance: Property from a collection based in Pune.
The artwork was acquired by the present owner directly from
the artist, thence by descent

A distinguished Indian painter, S L Haldankar, was born in 1882 in
Sawantwadi, a former princely state in present-day Maharashtra.
His artistic talent was recognised early by his school headmaster,
who awarded him a scholarship to study at the Sir J J School of Art in
Bombay. Under the guidance of notable artists Mahadev Vishwanath
Dhurandhar and Cecil Leonard Burns, Haldankar honed his skills
in both watercolour and oil painting, earning particular acclaim for
his portraiture.

In 1908, Haldankar founded the Haldankar Fine Arts Institute in
Bombay, where he mentored aspiring artists. He co-founded the Art
Society of India in 1918, serving as its first president and playing a
key role in shaping the modern Indian art scene. His mastery of light
and shade imbued his works with remarkable depth and dimension,
while his skilful use of colour brought vibrancy and intricate detail
to his subjects.

Haldankar’s art, noted for its realism and finesse, remains highly
esteemed, inspiring generations of artists. His works have been
exhibited across India in cities like Mumbai, Madras, and Shimla
and internationally at the Royal Society of British Artists in London.