THOMAS B. KEEHN
A Personal Commentary
In early 1956—after consulting with some of
the young artists and others in this field—we decided to organize an Eight Painters exhibition in New Delhi. An attractive brochure was produced, including information about the artists and reproductions of some of their works. One feature proposed by the artists was to have them work in teams of two, with each producing a drawing of the other. For example Husain produced a drawing of Ram Kumar and Ram did one of Husain. Here is the 1956 drawing of Husain as it M.F. Husain (1956)
appeared on the Eight Painters exhibition brochure.
Two of Husain’s paintings included in the
M.F. Husain and I were forty years old when we met
exhibition were Between the Spider and the Lamp and
in India and began a friendship that has endured for
Yatra—a Journey. They were recognized as some of
fifty-one years—from 1956 to 2007. He was a visible,
Husain’s most important works in this early period.
rising young artist living in Bombay. I was at the
beginning of a new phase of life in India, representing
family collection. We also have a drawing of the
a Rockefeller-related non-profit organization. One of
figures of a man and a woman which Husain produced
our mandates was to discover and assist the modern
in 1956. It is vintage Husain—a kind of prototype for
art movement in newly independent India. I began
many of the estimated 50,000 paintings he would
by traveling around the country, visiting artists in
paint during the next fifty years.
their homes and workshops. It seemed inevitable
that these journeys lead to connections with Husain.
central figure in a group of eight to ten pioneers
We were fortunate to acquire Yatra for our
Through these years, Husain became a
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