Wednesday 19 June 2024
Francis Newton Souza, Indian (1924-2002)Untitled, Head Signed and dated "Souza 85" (upper...
View MoreLot 223
Description
Francis Newton Souza, Indian (1924-2002)
Untitled, Head
Signed and dated "Souza 85" (upper left)
Oil on canvas,
61.5 x 46cm (24.3 x 18.2in)
Painted in 1985
Provenance: The property of Dr. Premlata Goel, widow of the distinguished art critic, K.B. Goel; Gifted by Souza to his close friend, the art critic, K.B. Goel (1930 - 2018).
Gifted by Souza to K.B Goel in the late1980s. To see other works from the same collection, see Bonhams, Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art Online, 20th-28th February 2023, lots 1-5.
Lot Footnotes
‘I was 17 years of age and had gotten into the habit of waiting rather impatiently, month after month for my Uncle Souza to make another unforgettable appearance in my life. He was my guru but more importantly had been my best friend for some years now. I had not asked the great man whether he considered me his friend, his gestures and actions were enough to tell me that he did. I was one of the first people Souza would call upon arriving in Delhi. On this particular visit, it was no different. I reached his hotel on a hot summer afternoon in the heart of the city on the third day of his arrival. We greeted and hugged each other.
Although it had been merely two days, the entire room, the room wasn’t all that big, had canvases propped up all along the gleaming white walls. On the floor were pots, glasses, plates and trays all of which had, not long before, been used to transport food and beverages. Now they were serving a very different role, important instruments in the makeshift studio of Francis Newton Souza. He was perfectly at home with all this improvised paraphernalia. I was probably about to witness another master class in painting, just imagine, seated a couple of feet away on a bulky uncomfortable sofa. Souza ordered sandwiches and tea for me. The waiter entered the room, glanced at the unrecognisable pots, mugs and scores of plates but knew that a fast exit would earn him a handsome tip. That day Souza looked bright and full of energy and told me how charged he felt.
Pure energy filled the room and in it were these already completed pieces of astonishing quality and finish. This ochre head dated 1985 was one of a number of works painted during this visit. I can’t be absolutely sure but I do have a strong feeling that it was painted in my presence. Also spread all over the floor were newspapers and on these were some half and some fully squeezed tubes of paint. With a coffee mug in his left hand and the brush in his right, he painted a couple of mesmerising heads as I looked on in rapt attention. One could feel how his mind was racing ahead as he dipped the paint brush again and again into the coffee mug, many times over, sometimes pausing to load the brush with another colour from the waiting dinner plate. And there emerged, right before my eyes, another fabulous painting’.
Brij Raj Goel, younger son of K.B. Goel, who was a particular favourite of Souza.
Fees & VAT
Buyer's Premium
The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.
VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT
Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.
It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500
Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.
Export of goods
Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.
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