AMRITA SHER-GIL (1913-1941) UNTITLED, SIGNED BOTTOM. PENCIL ON PAPER

Size: 20 x 12 inches

Provenance: Property of a British Collector, originally gifted to her by the artist family 

Footnotes: Amrita Sher-Gil, born in Budapest on 30 January 1913, emerged as a luminary in
the realm of art, navigating diverse cultural influences with finesse. Born to a Sikh aristocrat
father and a Hungarian mother, an opera singer, Sher-Gil's early exposure to artistic
endeavours shaped her unique trajectory. Relocating to Simla in 1921, she received home-
based artistic tutelage under Major Whitmarsh before formal studies under artist Beven
Pateman.Embracing her innate artistic calling, Sher-Gil embarked on a transformative
journey to Europe, enrolling at the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in France. Remarkably,
she not only became the youngest artist but also the sole Asian to attain a gold medal,
earning accolades as an associate member of the Grand Salon. Immersed in the vibrant
milieu of French Bohemians, Sher-Gil's artistic personality blossomed beyond academic
confines.In her quest for a distinctive identity, Sher-Gil returned to India, traversing the
nation to absorb its cultural mosaic. Exploring Bombay, Ajanta, Ellora, and beyond, she
sought to articulate the essence of Indian life, particularly the experiences of the
marginalized. Despite her premature demise on 5 December 1941, Sher-Gil secured her
place as India's first recognized female artist, celebrated for her audacious and adept
painterly expressions. In 1976, the Government of India bestowed upon her the esteemed
status of a National Treasure artist, a testament to her enduring impact on the artistic legacy
of the nation.