Page 127 - AstaGuru Modern Odyssey

Lot No. 87

N S BENDRE
1910-1992

UNTITLED
37 x 42.5 in (94 x 108 cm)
Oil on canvas
1974
Signed & Dated: Bottom Right

` 1,00,00,000 - 1,50,00,000 | $ 121,951 - 182,927

Provenance: Property from a collection based in
Mumbai. Artwork was acquired by the present
owner directly from the artist.

The presented lot showcases a mother with
her infant child on her lap. The beauty work
encapsulates Bendre’s mid-career exploration
of colour and figure. After a brief foray into
abstraction, Bendre redirected his focus to pastoral
scenes featuring rural women engrossed in their
daily activities. Employing a controlled palette and
minimal chiaroscuro or perspective, he depicted
these subjects engaging in tasks such as bathing,
weaving, playing music, reading, and nurturing their
children.

The elimination of background details directs the
viewer’s complete attention to the central figures—
the mother and her children. The artist’s minimalist
approach underscores the emotional connection
between the mother and child. By stripping away
extraneous elements, Bendre allows the viewer to
delve into the essence of the maternal bond and
the simplicity of rural life.