Framed Indian Watercolour Manuscript Leaf with Noble Ladies

A framed, untitled erotic sketch portraying two nude women; ink on paper; attributed to F.N. Souza, dated 1970. 92 grams, 51 x 39 cm

Fine condition.

Personal collection of Harmadar Singh Thind; thence by descent. Ex private family collection of a West London gentleman.

Francis Newton Souza (1924-2002) was an Indian-American British artist, born in Goa, India. He went on to become one of India's most influential modern artists. Souza was a founding member of the Progressive Artists' Group, which largely disbanded after he moved to London in 1949. His work is executed in a style which exhibits both decadence and primitivism. The world record at auction for the artist's iconic works stands at $4,085,000.

With lentoid half-lidded eyes, wide nose, curved lips and elongated earlobes; conical headdress with pellets; low-relief engraved detailing; mounted on a custom-made stand. 209 grams total, 92 mm including stand



with Christie's Interiors, London, 4 October 2011, no.57 (Part). Private collection, London, UK.

A rectangular manuscript page with watercolour scene of three noble females in a landscape, one leaning forward to pierce a snake with a lance(?); panels of nasta'liq text above and below; mounted in a glazed wooden frame. 480 grams, 29.7 x 21 cm

Very fine condition.

Acquired on the UK art market, 1980s-1990s. The Woodbridge collection of Indo-Persian art.