Page 97 - AstaGuru Masters Legacy April 2024

Lot No. 21

A A ALMELKAR
1920-1982

UNTITLED
35 x 59.5 in (89 x 151 cm)
Oil on canvas
1978
Signed & Dated: Bottom Right

` 10,00,000 - 15,00,000 | $12,195 - 18,293

Provenance: Property from a collection based
in New Delhi. Acquired from the estate of
S H Harilal Khatri.

Hailing from Solapur, Maharashtra, A A Almelkar
embarked on his artistic journey at the tender age of
seven. After completing his formal education at a local
school, he enrolled in the prestigious Sir J. J. School
of Arts in Mumbai. Throughout his student years,
he garnered acclaim, securing numerous awards at
exhibitions hosted by esteemed institutions such as
the Art Society of India and the Bombay Art Society.

Almelkar found his true mentor in Khatri, a revered
folk painter from Gujarat, who instilled in him a
profound reverence for meticulous draftsmanship.
His artistic lineage was steeped in the rich tradition
of stylized “Indian” paintings, characterized by
intricate detailing and influences from the miniature
art tradition, which flourished during his formative
years at the art college.