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PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
3
F N SOUZA
(1924 ‒ 2002)
Untitled
Signed and dated 'Souza 58' (upper right)
1958
Pen on card
5 x 11.5 in (13 x 29.2 cm)
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000
$ 3,175 ‒ 4,765
TheGaberbocchus CommonRoomwas set up tobridge the
gap between the arts and sciences. Polish immigrants Stefan
and Franciszka Themerson founded the Gaberbocchus
Press in 1948, and nine years later, transformed the
basement of their office into the Common Room. Lectures,
recitals, film screenings and performances were held here
between 1957 and 1959. It is likely that Souza frequented
the Common Room during this period. In a 1958 invitation,
the sketch shows a leering man, whose expression contrasts
with that of the demure sitter, separated by a landscape.
In a conversation between Souza and the current owner,
Souza revealed that the drawing could be interpreted as
a drawing of the artist and his muse. Viewed in this light,
Souza’s sketch compresses a long history of intimacy that
often resulted between the artist and his muse.
PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
2
F N SOUZA
(1924 ‒ 2002)
a) Untitled
Pen on card
3.5 x 7.25 in (8.7 x 18.6 cm)
EXHIBITED:
F N Souza
, New York: Saffronart, 17 September ‒ 15 October 2008;
London: Saffronart, 4 ‒ 16 December 2008
PUBLISHED:
F N Souza,
Mumbai: Saffronart and London: Grosvenor Gallery,
2008, p. 35 (illustrated)
b) Untitled
Signed 'Souza' (lower centre)
Pen on paper
7.75 x 4.75 in (20 x 12 cm)
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000
$ 3,175 ‒ 4,765
(Set of two)
a versoverso