I love the flat simplicity of this work by Amulya Gopal Sen Sharma on a postcard. Last evening I was admiring monumental art deco murals that were similar, but not as pure and plain as this image. Just a minimal border on most of the sarees, used to define the drape and convey a sense of three dimensions on delightfully two-dimensional shapes. Only a saree can be both completely flat and definine a rounded figure!
This looks more like an ad for a beauty product of some sort, but it was listed on eBay only as a postcard printed in Bombay. The artwork has a period charm not usually found after the 1930s or so. I like the subtle pattern on the saree that does not “clash” with a polkadot choli in a completely different color. Our lovely lady wears a red bindi and red lipstick, and adds reddish-pink flowers to the more traditional ornament in her marcelled hair.
A friend of mine recently found a painting that she loved – something about it that resonated with her. It was indeed a lovely painting of a women who seemed down to earth with just a hint of rebelliousness. The painting was signed “Abhijit Sen”, so I thought I’d try to find some more paintings by him.
Turned out that Abhijit Sen (which is a very common name) had copied from a panting of another master Subrata Gangopadhyay.
And when I saw the original of the same panting done by Subrata, I was awe struck! It had so much texture and depth and emotions in it!
He has a series of paintings with a “women” theme and each one of is exquisit.
Here are some that depict saree in a very fluid way.
A pretty image from an art postcard, mid-1950s according to the seller on ebay. I like the soft colours of the saree and the woman’s skin, and the use of deep shadows. She is not wearing a choli, just pleasing jewellery, and stands amid a variety of natural textures.
Paintings by Usha Shanthram
Go below the fold for more partings by Usha.
You can see her art for sale at Fine Art America
Or he blog usettyblog.blogspot.com/
