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Born in Portuguese India's Saligão in Goa on April 12, 1924, this year marks the 100th year of the artist who is known for his stellar work in the field of modern Indian painting and a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group, Francisco Victor Newton de Souza or FN Souza.
This is a big name in the art world today, but back in those days, his work was often attacked by the Goan community and complaints too were filed against him to the police for obscenity.
His style, to the art world, is Expressionist in character and has elements of post-war Art Brut movement and elements of British Neo-romanticism.
The life was difficult and his wife Maria had to take on multiple jobs in order to support the family. His career as an artist finally took off after the publication in 1955 of his autobiographical essay Nirvana of a Maggot in Stephen Spender's Encounter magazine. This introduced Souza to the art dealer Victor Musgrave and his exhibit in the same year at Musgrave's Gallery One sold out.
The same year, he painted Birth, which became the most expensive Indian painting to be sold at a Christie's auction in 2008 at US$ 2.5 million (Rs. 11.3 crore). He was also recognised as a mentor by Indian artist MF Husain.
Since there has not been going back. Here are five of his most expensive paintings which were ever sold
Birth
This painting depicts his lover Liselotte, who had an affair with Souza despite being married to Maria, posing naked while pregnant with their first daughter Keren. After being sold in 2008 as the most expensive painting worth US$ 2.5 million, it was resold again in 2015 at US$ 4 million (Rs. 33,5 crore).
The Lovers
Painted in 1960, this visual representation of a tender moment between two lovers is a painting that has been sold seven times with its lowest estimate at US$ 700,000 (Rs. 5.8crore) and the highest bidding was secured in his centenary birth year itself at US$ 4.89 million (Rs. 40 crore).
Also Read: Art Exhibition in Delhi: A Satirical Exploration of Society Through Paintings
Fan Dancer
Painted in 1962, an oil on canvas is a fascinating female figure. This was sold at US$ 167,750 (Rs. 1.19 crore) at the AstaGuru's auction held in 2021.
Priest In Chalice
Painted in 1953, this painting portrays the host as a radiant blue sphere above the chalice after its consecration, to underline that its transubstantiation into the Body of Christ has occurred. This painting was sold at US$ 3.9 million (Rs.32crore) at Christie's in 2024.
Portrait Of A Man
This 1956, oil on panel depicts a portrait of a man with an elongated face. This was sold at the Bukowskis auction in Stockholm on June 12, 2024 at €1,470,000 (Rs.12crore).
Exhibitions Of FN Souza Paintings
This year, marking Souza's birth centenary year, you can also visit exhibitions of his painting at the following venues:
- Dhoomimal Art Centre from 8th October to 27th October, 11am to 7pm
- 'Contours Of Identity' Francis Newton Souza & Avinash Chandra at DAG Mumbai, from 14th November to 3rd January 2025, 11am to 7pm
- You can also view some of Souza's paintings on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi