Page 235 - AstaGuru Modern Odyssey

Lot No. 180

RAM KUMAR
1924 - 2018

UNTITLED
49 x 49 in (124.5 X 124.5 cm)
Oil on canvas
1970
Signed & Dated: Verso

` 80,00,000 - 1,20,00,000 | $ 97,561 - 146,341

Provenance: Property from a collection based in
New Delhi.

Ram Kumar’s abstract landscapes mark a pivotal
departure in his artistic evolution, transitioning from
a post-Paris figurative phase to a realm of non-
figurative expression. Triggered by a transformative
visit to Varanasi in 1960, his paintings diverged from
the constraints of reality, showcasing landscapes
devoid of human figures. Employing heavy impasto,
monotone colour schemes, and Cubist techniques,
Kumar crafted emotive compositions oscillating
between contemplation, somberness, and lyricism.

These landscapes, characterised by jagged
topographic contours, evoke ambient despair,
offering viewers a window into the artist’s
introspective journey. Kumar’s textured strokes map
out the architectonics of nature, delving into the
interplay between space, objects, and individual
experiences. While initially inspired by the mystical
Varanasi, Kumar’s later works from the late 1960s
shifted focus to the nostalgic landscapes of his
Himalayan foothills upbringing.

This progression marked a complete embrace of
abstraction, distancing itself from representational
constraints. Kumar’s oeuvre encapsulates a
profound preoccupation with the essence of nature
and being, illustrating the evolution of his artistic
language as he navigates the complexities of
space, memory, and emotional resonance within
the abstract landscapes he meticulously crafts.