Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Maqbool Fida-Husain Biography
Maqbool Fida Husain, often referred to as M.F. Husain, was one of the most significant and influential Indian artists of the 20th century. His work, characterized by its bold and vibrant use of color and a modified Cubist style, has earned him international recognition and the title of the 'Picasso of India.'
Born on September 17, 1915, in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Husain's journey into the world of art began with an interest in calligraphy while staying at a Madrasa in Baroda. His early years were marked by financial struggles, which led him to take up various jobs, including painting cinema posters in Mumbai and designing toys for a toy company. Despite these challenges, Husain's passion for art was unwavering, and he eventually attended the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art in Mumbai to hone his skills.
Husain's career took a significant turn in the late 1940s when he won a prize at the Annual Exhibition of the Bombay Art Society. This achievement brought his work to the attention of Francis Newton Souza, a prominent Indian artist who invited Husain to become a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group. This group aimed to break away from the nationalist traditions established by the Bengal School of Art and to engage with the international avant-garde.
Throughout his career, Husain's work covered a wide range of themes, including Indian mythology, history, and culture. He painted series on diverse subjects such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, the Ramayana, the British Raj, and the vibrant life of urban and rural India. His love for horses was particularly evident in his work, as they symbolized a free spirit and lively energy that resonated with him.
Husain's art was not without controversy. His portrayal of Hindu deities and other religious themes in the nude led to criticism and legal challenges from some quarters of Indian society. The most notable of these was a painting commonly known as "Bharatmata" or "Mother India," which depicted a bright red nude woman shaped like the Indian subcontinent. These controversies eventually led to Husain's self-imposed exile from India in 2006, during which he lived mainly in London and Dubai.
Despite the controversies, Husain's contributions to Indian art were widely recognized and celebrated. He was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1966, the Padma Bhushan in 1973, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1991. His film "Through the Eyes of a Painter" won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1967, and he was also recognized for his work as a printmaker and photographer.
In the latter part of his life, Husain's international stature continued to grow. He was commissioned to create 99 paintings for the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, and in 2010, he accepted Qatari citizenship. His work continued to be exhibited around the world, and his paintings fetched high prices at international auctions.
M.F. Husain passed away on June 9, 2011, in London, at the age of 95. His legacy lives on through his vast body of work, which continues to be celebrated and studied by art enthusiasts and scholars alike. Husain's unique ability to blend traditional Indian themes with modernist techniques made him a pivotal figure in the development of Indian art, and his influence is still felt in the art world today.
Maqbool Fida-Husain Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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