Page 27 - M F Husain The Eternal Master
P. 27

Husain with family and friends                                 Husain (centre) among friends. From left  to right: Bal Chhabda, Farhad Jamal
                                                                                 and Owais Husain





                  obscurity into the limelight of the Indian art scene. His first

                  solo exhibition in Bombay in 1950 was a significant milestone,
                  followed by another show exploring rural life in Calcutta,
                  which was met with severe criticism. This was followed
                  by another exhibition in Delhi, which was successful and
                  helped Husain’s career gain momentum.
                       In 1951, his art was also exhibited in Paris at the Salon

                  de Mal, and two years later, he participated in the prestigious
                  Venice Biennale. In 1955, Husain was honoured with the
                  National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi. The same year,     The artist with Queen Elizabeth II, during his exhibition
                  he showcased his work in Brazil at the São Paulo Biennale

                  and won an award at the Tokyo Biennale.
                       By the end of the 1950s, Husain had established himself
                  as a major artist, both in India and on the global stage. His
 background character seemingly disconnected from the   minimal emphasis on the social environment and natural   confidence in his skill and vision was unwavering, and he
 rest. The painting’s effect was one of solidity punctuated by   surroundings. Nature rarely featured in his works during   was prepared to embrace the urban world with the same
 mystery, conveying togetherness without communication.   this period, with a few exceptions, such as his paintings of   fervour he had demonstrated in his depictions of rural India.

 (Years later, in 2000, he would paint another work with the   Kerala in 1967. Nonetheless, during a visit to Prague in 1956,   Movement, balance, and strong, rhythmic lines became
 same title.)  Husain indulged in landscapes and cityscapes, showcasing   the defining elements of Husain’s artistic expression. These
 During the 1950s and 1960s, Husain’s aesthetic   his continued fondness for this genre.  features brought life and energy to his works, and they would
 predominantly revolved around the human figure, with   The 1950s marked Husain’s emergence from relative   continue to play a significant role in his evolving artistic style.   Husain with industrialist Lakshmi Mittal, Mrs. Usha Mittal and Yogesh Mehta



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