Page 177 - AstaGuru Modern Odyssey

Lot No. 126

K K HEBBAR
1911 - 1996

UNTITLED
39 x 31 in (99 x 78.7 cm)
Oil on canvas
Circa 1950s
Signed: Bottom Right

` 40,00,000 - 50,00,000 | $ 48,780 - 60,976

Provenance: Property from a collection based in Mumbai.

Kattingeri Krishna Hebbar, a luminary in the realm
of Indian art, dedicated his life to bridging the
gap between traditional Indian art values and the
burgeoning wave of Western modernism. Born in 1911 in
Kattingeri, Karnataka, Hebbar found his artistic calling
in the post-independence era, drawing inspiration from
the rich murals of Ajanta and the intricate paintings of
Jain, Mughal, and Rajput schools.

Educated at the Sir J.J. School of Arts in 1945, Hebbar
initially adhered to conventional Indian methodologies
in the 1940s, employing gouache instead of oil and
reimagining miniatures with vibrant colours and a linear
sensibility. His quest for artistic evolution led him to Paris
in 1949, where he trained at the Academie Julian. Upon
his return, he infused his works with the dynamism
of Indian dance forms and folk rhythms, seamlessly
blending tradition with modernity.

Hebbar’s art evolved with the changing times, reflecting
both the technological advancements and the shifting
paradigms of the art world. An adept colourist, Hebbar’s
raw strokes and mastery of shimmering colours
brought to life the smaller joys of existence. Recognized
for his immense contribution, he was honoured with the
Padma Bhushan by the Indian government. Hebbar’s
legacy endures, with his artworks remaining influential
in the tapestry of Indian art history.