Description:

 MAQBOOL FIDA HUSAIN (1915–2011), "CUBISM LADIES", 1963
India, dated 1963

Description:
Oil on canvas; signed in Hindi lower left and dated '63. This compelling composition showcases Husain’s foray into Cubist aesthetics, where three female figures emerge through fragmented planes and angular contours, rendered in a palette of vibrant greens, blues, and earthy tones. The abstracted treatment and confident brushwork evoke both the emotional depth and sculptural strength of his figuration. The work is emblematic of Husain’s transitional period in the 1960s, blending Indian narrative sensibilities with global modernist idioms.

Dimensions: 35.5 x 20 in (90.2 x 50.8 cm)

Provenance:

  • French Private Collection, 1990

  • Acquired via British trade, 2001

  • Thence by descent

  • Previously offered in these rooms

Comparable examples:

  • M.F. Husain, Untitled (Three Figures), oil on canvas, sold at Bonhams, Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, 23 October 2018, Lot 53, for £102,500

  • M.F. Husain, Women of Yemen, oil on canvas, sold at Sotheby’s, Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art, 20 March 2013, Lot 64, for £217,250

  • M.F. Husain, Untitled (Figures), oil on canvas, sold at Christie’s, South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art, 21 September 2020, Lot 30, for $187,500

Note:
This work exemplifies Husain’s unique ability to fuse narrative Indian content with Western artistic innovations. The Cubist influence here aligns with his experimental period post-1950s, when he began interpreting classical Indian themes through the lens of international modernism. Works from this decade are highly sought after for their rarity and historical significance.

Provenance: French Private Collection 1990, 
Acquired via British Trade 2001 
Thence by descent, 
Previously purchased in these rooms 

Footnotes: Maqbool Fida Husain, an illustrious figure in Indian art, was born in 1915 in
Pandharpur, Maharashtra, leaving an indelible mark on the country's cultural landscape. A
luminary and co-founder of the Progressive Artists Group in 1947, Husain played a pivotal
role in shaping the trajectory of modern art in India. His canvases, pulsating with life, were a
dynamic convergence of traditional Indian motifs, mythological themes, and contemporary
societal reflections.Husain's oeuvre, marked by vivid hues and bold strokes, achieved global
recognition for its compelling fusion of traditional aesthetics with modern sensibilities.


However, his later years were overshadowed by controversy and political censure, leading to
a self-imposed exile from his homeland. Despite the challenges, his artistic legacy endures,
sparking conversations on the intricate interplay between art, culture, and societal norms in
India.His paintings, resonant with symbolism and cultural narratives, continue to captivate
audiences worldwide. M.F. Husain's artistic journey, from the founding of the Progressive
Artists Group to the complexities of his later life, remains an integral part of Indian artistic
narrative. His demise in 2011 marked the end of a chapter in Indian art, leaving behind a
legacy that transcends boundaries and continues to provoke thought and dialogue in the
global artistic community.

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
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