ABDUR RAHMAN CHUGHTAI (1897-1975) LAILA-MANJI... Lot n° 161

ABDUR RAHMAN CHUGHTAI (1897-1975) LAILA-MANJI SERIES, SIGNED BOTTOM RIGHT, WATERCOLUR ON PAPER Laila at Mecca praying for reunion and Manju in the background in a desert Provenance: Property of a British Gentleman who acquired it directly from the artist Size 69 × 66 cm Reference - Another painting from the same series was sold in these rooms, Lot 43 dated - 16th February 2024. Footnotes - Abdur Rahman Chughtai, a preeminent painter and intellectual from Pakistan, is renowned for pioneering a distinctive artistic style that amalgamates Mughal art, miniature painting, Art Nouveau, and Islamic art traditions. Acknowledged as 'the first significant modern Muslim artist from South Asia,' he holds the esteemed position of the national artist of Pakistan. Born in Lahore in 1897, Chughtai hailed from a lineage of craftsmen, architects, and decorators. His artistic journey commenced with a foundation in naqqashi under his uncle Baba Miran Shah Naqqash, followed by education at the Railway Technical School and the Mayo School of Art, where he eventually became the head instructor in chromo- lithography.Chughtai's artistic prowess blossomed with his first revivalist 'oriental' style painting in 1916, and he gained prominence through exhibitions and contributions to Lahore's burgeoning modern art scene. A versatile artist, he excelled in watercolours, print- making, and etching, perfecting the latter during visits to London in the mid-1930s. Over six decades, Chughtai produced a vast oeuvre, including watercolours, pencil sketches, etchings, and aquatints, amassing nearly 2000 watercolours and numerous other creations.His significant contribution extended beyond visual arts, encompassing short stories, articles on art, stamp and coin design, and book covers. Chughtai's magnum opus, the Muraqqai-i- Chughtai, an illustrated edition of Mirza Ghalib's Urdu poetry, is hailed as a masterpiece in book production. Recognized as one of the most prominent representatives of Pakistan post-1947, Chughtai's work garnered global acclaim, with influential figures like Allama Iqbal, Pablo Picasso, and Elizabeth II counting among his admirers. His thematic repertoire drew inspiration from Indo-Islamic legends, folklore, history, Punjab, Persia, and the Mughal world, showcasing a nuanced fusion of influences. Chughtai's legacy endures through his extensive exhibitions and the presence of his works in collections worldwide