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Badri Narayan (1929-2013) Untitled (Watermelon Seller) image 1
Badri Narayan (1929-2013) Untitled (Watermelon Seller) image 2
Lot 30

Badri Narayan
(1929-2013)
Untitled (Watermelon Seller)

5 June 2024, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

£3,000 - £5,000

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Badri Narayan (1929-2013)

Untitled (Watermelon Seller)
initialed 'B' in Devanagari lower right
watercolour on paper, framed
22.2 x 22.2cm (8 3/4 x 8 3/4in).

Footnotes

Provenance
Property from a private collection, London.
Gifted by the artist to a family friend;
Gifted by the above to the vendor.

Narayan's artistic style is characterized by a fusion of folk art motifs, classical Indian aesthetics, and modernist techniques. His use of bold lines, flattened perspectives, and stylized forms imbues the painting with a timeless quality. Beyond its surface beauty, Untitled (Watermelon Seller) also delves into deeper themes of human connection, labour and tradition. The watermelon, a quintessential summer fruit in India, becomes a symbol of abundance and refreshment. Through the figure of the seller, Narayan pays homage to the hardworking individuals who sustain local economies and preserve cultural heritage through their trade and highlights the beauty and significance hidden within the ordinary, fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Indian life and culture.

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