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V S Gaitonde considered his art to be non‒objective
and non‒conformist. An accident in the mid‒1980s
caused him to take a hiatus from painting on canvas.
Gaitonde turned to smaller format works on paper,
as seen in the present lot. “For Gaitonde, painting
was... a deep inner investigation. Though he might
have forsaken the paint and brush during this decade,
he did not cease drawing.” (Meera Menezes,
Vasudeo
Santu Gaitonde: Sonata of Solitude,
New Delhi:
Bodhana Arts and Research Foundation, 2016, p. 187)
He also explored the visual possibilities of form and
calligraphy. “His ink drawings from 1985–87... form
an important part of his overall oeuvre and consist of
nonmimetic calligraphic and hieroglyphic markings
made with spontaneous gestures and rhythmic
movements. The draftsman of old returns in these
works.” (Sandhini Poddar,
V. S. Gaitonde: Painting as
Process, Painting as Life,
New York: The Solomon R
Guggenheim Museum, 2014, p. 31) The geometric
forms and maze‒like composition is evidence of
a focussed artist who is sure of his technique, but
remains elusive about the message.
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V S GAITONDE
(1924 ‒ 2001)
Untitled
Signed in Devnagari and dated '85' (lower right)
1985
Ink on paper pasted on board
13.75 x 10.25 in (34.7 x 26 cm)
Rs 12,00,000 ‒ 18,00,000
$ 19,050 ‒ 28,575
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist by Sunil Das
Gifted to the present owner by Sunil Das in 2009
14
V S GAITONDE
(1924 ‒ 2001)
Untitled
Signed in Devnagari and dated '8.12.1974 / 18.12.1974' (lower right)
1974
Ink on paper
10 x 9.25 in (25.5 x 23.2 cm)
Rs 15,00,000 ‒ 18,00,000
$ 23,810 ‒ 28,575
PROVENANCE
Gifted by the artist to a Private Collector, New Delhi
Acquired from the above
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