Description:

Lot 2. MAQBOOL FIDA HUSAIN (1913–2011) UNTITLED (HORSES), SIGNED BOTTOM LEFT, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
Circa mid-20th century

Executed in acrylic on canvas, this vigorous composition depicts a dynamic cavalcade of horses, their angular limbs and open mouths rendered with sweeping, calligraphic brushstrokes in tones of pale pink, ochre, blue, and grey against a textured ground of mottled earth and sky. A large red disc, suggestive of the sun, anchors the upper left quadrant, balancing the forward surge of movement across the pictorial plane. The brushwork alternates between thick impasto passages and swiftly gestural lines, accentuating both the muscular vitality and rhythmic cadence of the scene. The artist’s signature, Husain, appears prominently at the lower left.

In this work, Maqbool Fida Husain harnesses the expressive potential of line and colour to evoke both energy and emotion. The horse, a recurring motif throughout his career, serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of freedom, power, and collective spirit. Through simplified, interlocking forms and bold tonal contrasts, the artist creates a visual language that is simultaneously modern and deeply rooted in Indian artistic tradition.

Measurements: 71 x 48 in (180.3 x 121.9 cm)

Footnote: Maqbool Fida Husain, born in 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, was a seminal figure in Indian modernism and a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947. His work, bridging classical imagery and contemporary expression, profoundly influenced post-Independence Indian art. Renowned for his bold palette and commanding draftsmanship, Husain’s legacy extends beyond the canvas, reflecting a lifelong dialogue between tradition, modernity, and identity.


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

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