Untitled (Female Nudes)

Details

FRANCIS NEWTON SOUZA (1924-2002)
Untitled (Female Nudes)
signed and dated 'Souza 1950' (upper right); signed and dated 'Souza 1951' (lower right); signed and dated 'Souza 1949' (lower right); unsigned
ink on paper; ink on paper; ink on paper; graphite on paper
9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.2 x 20.2 cm.); 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.2 x 20.2 cm.); 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.2 x 20.2 cm.); 14 7/8 x 10 3/8 in. (37.9 x 26.5 cm.)
Executed in 1950; 1951; 1949; circa 1950
Group of four works on paper (4)

Literature

Untitled (Abstract Nude), 1950, F. Souza and G. Melly eds., F. N. Souza: Religion and Erotica, London, 2005, p. 66 (illustrated)
Untitled (Standing Nude), 1951, ibid., p. 29 (illustrated)
Untitled (Standing Nude with Shading), 1949, ibid., inside front cover (illustrated)

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Lot Essay

I've been delving more into Indian Art, after my talk on the subject at Cooper Union last month. The reason, I have come to the conclusion, as to why Indian Art has been neglected is partly that it has offended and still offends [...] the so-called puritans who have been repelled by the symbolically powerful sexual portent of Indian Art in general. The other part [...], I believe, is due to the fact that the variety and quantity of the Art of India is so overwhelming, that few scholars have been able to handle this vast and credible production with the technique of mass media [...]. It's a fabulous experience finding all this art again.
(Excerpt from the diary of the artist: 15 December, 1969 quoted in F. Souza and G. Melly eds., F. N. Souza: Religion and Erotica, London, 2005, publication dust jacket)

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