Page 39 - Manifest September 2024

Lot No. 16

K H ARA

1914-1985
UNTITLED
26 x 34 in (66 x 86.4 cm)
Oil on canvas
Circa 1945
Signed: Bottom Left
` 30,00,000 - 40,00,000 | $ 36,585 - 48,780
Provenance: Property from a collection based in Mumbai.
Artwork was acquired by the present owner directly from
the artist

K. H. Ara, a pivotal figure in modern Indian art, played
a crucial role in shaping the visual language of the
Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group. The presented
lot is a beautiful painting executed during the early
phase of his career. It is a remarkable example of
his engagement with Western painting traditions.
The work notably reflects the influence of Austrian
artist Walter Langhammer, a prominent figure in the
Bombay art scene and a key patron and critic of the
Progressive Artists.
In this work, Ara captures a lively reception or party
scene, where people dressed in vibrant clothes
engage in conversation, creating a tapestry of social
interaction. The colour composition is a highlight
of the piece, with bright hues of yellow, red, green,
and blue that evoke the opulence and grandeur
of bygone era. The painting not only illustrates
Ara’s mastery of colour and composition but also
offers a glimpse into the cultural milieu of the time,
blending Western stylistic elements with a uniquely
Indian context.