What does Portraiture mean?

Portraiture goes far beyond the individual; it resonates that which cannot be said but only expressed.

The reclusive artist Ganesh Pyne’s lady with a bird, is deeply personal, painted with love for a friend and gifted with affection. Henry Ryland’s encounter with Hindustani royalty is translated into a dynamic composition of watercolours, beauty and most importantly coming out as a portrait of power. Kshitindranath Mazumdar’s portrait of this Vaishnavite saint was his way of performing bhakti, an offering of prayers through colour.

K.K. Hebbar goes beyond mere portraiture, capturing not just a face but the man behind it. By staying true to the western academic realist style, for M F Pithawalla, a portrait meant capturing the reality of human life. Rabindranath Tagore’s wisdom is immortalised in the glow of his silhouette by G. Kandan, radiating deep respect and admiration. Amrita Sher-Gil is transported into the Pseudorealist world of Devajyoti Ray, blending manga with magic.

To learn more about the details, history and context of these portraits refer to the individual catalogue essays, from our upcoming auction - PORTRAITS & FIGURATIVES - 31st July 2026.

Related Link: Portraits of Solitude, Deccan Herald, 12th July 2026