Page 211 - AstaGuru Modern Odyssey

Lot No. 156
F N SOUZA
1924-2002

STILL LIFE WITH VERONICA’S VEIL AND THE
ACCOUTREMENTS OF CHRIST’S PASSION
30 x 24 in (76.2 x 61 cm)
Acrylic on board
1984
Signed & Dated: Top Right

` 37,80,000 - 42,00,000 | $ 46,097 - 51,219

Provenance: Property from an international collection.

“Still Life with Veronica’s Veil and the Accoutrements of
Christ’s Passion” by F. N. Souza is a captivating exploration
of colour, texture, and symbolism within the realm of
expressionism. Souza, a maestro of the canvas, immerses
viewers in a sensory experience.

The painting, executed in 1984, a pivotal moment in Souza’s
artistic journey, amalgamates elements from the early Still
Life genre of the 16th century with religious and symbolic
motifs. Inspired by Sanford Redmond’s theory on “Nature in
an Altered Perspective,” Souza transforms classical
imagery like. Veronica’s Veil and the Accoutrements of
Christ’s Passion into the unconventional setting of a still life,
challenging simplicity and subverting audience
expectations.

The painting becomes a dialogue between the artist and
the transcendent, as the narrative of Veronica wiping Jesus’
face on the way to Calvary is transformed into a conceptual
exploration. The ‘Veronica veil’ is not just a relic; it
represents the enduring power of the image itself. Souza’s
work suggests that even as the artist fades away, nature
evolves, and life shifts, the image persists as the enduring
force of art and its ability to transcend temporal bounda-
ries. “Still Life with Veronica’s Veil and the Accoutrements of
Christ’s Passion” is an ode to Souza’s artistic mastery, offer-
ing viewers a contemplative space where the intersection
of classical symbolism and modern expressionism unfolds
in a mesmerising dialogue with the eternal.