SAWLARAM LAXMAN HALDANKAR (1882-1969)UNTITLED (SEATED YOUNG MAN IN A TURBAN)OIL ON PAPERSIGNED LOWER RIGHT30 X 23 INCHES

A FINELY OBSERVED FIGURE STUDY BY SAWLARAM LAXMAN HALDANKAR, THE CELEBRATED MAHARASHTRIAN ACADEMIC REALIST. A YOUNG MAN IN A GOLDEN TURBAN WITH A WHITE PLUME AND TRAILING CLOTH SITS ON A LOW PLATFORM, ONE KNEE FOLDED BENEATH HIM, HIS FACE TURNED IN PROFILE AS HE GAZES INTO THE DISTANCE.

THE FIGURE IS MODELLED IN CONFIDENT, FLUID BRUSHSTROKES, WITH WARM FLESH TONES AND SOFTLY SHADED FOLDS OF CLOTH GIVING THE FORM A SCULPTURAL PRESENCE. HE WEARS A WHITE KURTA AND LOOSE CREAM DHOTI WITH A DEEP BROWN WAISTCOAT, WHILE HIS RELAXED HAND RESTS ON A DRAPE OF OCHRE-YELLOW FABRIC.

THE MUTED PALETTE OF GOLD, IVORY, UMBER AND TERRACOTTA GLOWS AGAINST A MOODY, ATMOSPHERIC GREEN BACKGROUND.THE WORK REFLECTS HALDANKAR’S MASTERY OF WESTERN ACADEMIC TECHNIQUE AND HIS SKILL IN PORTRAYING THE DIGNITY AND CHARACTER OF HIS SUBJECTS, COMBINING NATURALISTIC DRAWING WITH RICH, PAINTERLY COLOUR.