Page 26 - The Arts Trust Souza The Centennial

huile et
restrained yet thoughtful use of colours for
this period. A subtle yellow shade fills the
background, dominating the composition
and suggesting the dispelling of darkness
and dark thoughts. Souza likely painted
this piece while in a happy state of mind.
In the 1987 work titled Etruscan
Group, Souza draws inspiration from the
illustrious Etruscan civilisation, which once
controlled the Italian peninsula before the
rise of Rome. Flourishing between the
8th and 3rd centuries BCE, the Etruscans
remain enigmatic due to the lack of
surviving literature and historical records.
Still Life with Veronica’s Veil and
the Accoutrements of Christ’s Passion
reinterprets classical imagery such as
Veronica’s Veil and the Accoutrements of
Christ’s Passion within the unconventional
setting of a still life. This approach
challenges the simplicity of the still-life
genre and subverts audience expectations.
The painting becomes a dialogue
between the artist and the transcendent,
transforming the narrative of Veronica
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acrylique
wiping Jesus’ face on the way to Calvary
into a conceptual work. sur toile
This transformation suggests that while
the artist fades away, nature evolves, and
life shifts, the image endures as a powerful
force of art, capable of transcending et planche
temporal boundaries. This work offers
viewers a contemplative space where
the intersection of classical symbolism
and modern expressionism unfolds in a
mesmerising dialogue with the eternal.
Francis Newton Souza passed away
in 2002 while visiting Mumbai. His legacy
extends beyond his paintings. He was a
prolific writer and critic, penning essays
that articulated his vision for modern
Indian art. His works are held in prestigious
collections worldwide, including the Tate
Gallery in London and the National Gallery
of Modern Art in New Delhi. Despite facing
criticism and controversy throughout his
career, Souza’s contributions to modernist oil and acrylic on canvas and board
art remain influential, cementing his place
as a seminal figure in the narrative of Indian
and global art history.
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