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Lot Essay
Francis Newton Souza was a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artist's Group which included fellow Indian modern masters M.F. Husain, S. H. Raza and Tyeb Mehta. By 1962 Souza, originally from Goa, was living in London where he was enjoying artistic success and acclaim with celebrated exhibitions in 1961-2 at Gallery One, the gallery which represented Souza during this significant period in his career. 1962, the year in which this work was executed, was a pivotal year not only for Souza's exhibitions but for the publication of Edward Mullins's seminal monograph entitled 'Souza'.
Drawing for Sitting Nude, is a preparatory drawing for a large and significant oil on canvas work of the same year entitled Untitled (Seated Nude) which sold in Christie's New York sale of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art in 2010. Souza's sitters were often women with whom he was romantically involved. In this case, the sitter resembles his mistress whom he would leave just two years later.
Drawing for Sitting Nude, is a preparatory drawing for a large and significant oil on canvas work of the same year entitled Untitled (Seated Nude) which sold in Christie's New York sale of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art in 2010. Souza's sitters were often women with whom he was romantically involved. In this case, the sitter resembles his mistress whom he would leave just two years later.