Page 169 - AstaGuru Modern Odyssey

Lot No. 119

MANJIT BAWA
1941-2008

UNTITLED (KRISHNA)
57.75 x 64.5 in (147 x 164 cm)
Oil on canvas
1992
Signed & Dated: Verso

` 6,00,00,000 - 8,00,00,000 | $ 731,707 - 975,610

Exhibited: Glenbarra Art Museum Collection, Japan.
‘Image-Beyond Image’: An exhibition of artworks from the
Collection of Glenbarra Art Museum, Japan.
National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, 4th January - 25th
January, 1997.
Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta, 5th February -
16th February, 1997.
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, 15th March - 5th April, 1997.
National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, 26th April - (17th
May) extended till 11th June, 1997.

Provenance: Property from a collection based in Mumbai.

Manjit Bawa’s painting captivates with its vibrant narrative,
featuring a central figure strongly reminiscent of Krishna
against a striking red backdrop, a nod to the artist’s profound
connection to Indian mythology and Sufism. The peacock
feather adorning the figure’s hair identifies him as Krishna, a
motif recurring in Bawa’s oeuvre. The protagonist leans over
a supine lion, a symbolic gesture perhaps drawing inspiration
from the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna introduces himself as
‘Hari’ or lion. This echoes Krishna’s transformative ‘Nrsimhadeva’
avatar, embodying a fusion of man and lion.

Cover of the publication with the artwork illustrated.