Description:

Lot 8. AMRITA SHER-GIL (1913–1941) DUTCH LADY UNTITLED, SIGNED BOTTOM, COLOUR PENCIL ON PAPER
Circa 1930s

Executed in colour pencil on paper, this delicately rendered portrait depicts a woman in three-quarter view, wearing a patterned headscarf and high-collared garment. The artist’s sensitive use of line and tonal shading conveys a quiet introspection, enhanced by subtle touches of mauve, ochre, and sienna. The softly modelled features and fine gradations of light demonstrate Sher-Gil’s command of draftsmanship and her nuanced approach to character study. The inscription amrita-sher-gil appears clearly at the lower margin.

This portrait reflects Amrita Sher-Gil’s early engagement with European portraiture and her assimilation of both academic realism and personal intimacy. Her studies from life, often composed with a restrained palette and precise observation, reveal the synthesis of classical training and the emerging individuality that would later define her mature Indian oeuvre.

Measurements: 15.5 x 12.5 in (39.4 x 31.8 cm)
Provenance: Property of a British Collector, originally gifted to her by the artist’s family

Footnotes:

Amrita Sher-Gil, born in Budapest on 30 January 1913, emerged as a luminary in the realm of art, navigating diverse cultural influences with finesse. Born to a Sikh aristocrat father and a Hungarian mother, an opera singer, Sher-Gil's early exposure to artistic endeavours shaped her unique trajectory. Relocating to Simla in 1921, she received home-based artistic tutelage under Major Whitmarsh before formal studies under artist Beven Pateman. Embracing her innate artistic calling, Sher-Gil embarked on a transformative journey to Europe, enrolling at the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in France. Remarkably, she not only became the youngest artist but also the sole Asian to attain a gold medal, earning accolades as an associate member of the Grand Salon. Immersed in the vibrant milieu of French Bohemians, Sher-Gil's artistic personality blossomed beyond academic confines. In her quest for a distinctive identity, Sher-Gil returned to India, traversing the nation to absorb its cultural mosaic. Exploring Bombay, Ajanta, Ellora, and beyond, she sought to articulate the essence of Indian life, particularly the experiences of the marginalized. Despite her premature demise on 5 December 1941, Sher-Gil secured her place as India's first recognized female artist, celebrated for her audacious and adept painterly expressions. In 1976, the Government of India bestowed upon her the esteemed status of a National Treasure artist, a testament to her enduring impact on the artistic legacy of the nation.

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November 7, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

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