Lot description
Lot 313. RAM KUMAR (1924–2018), BENARAS (VARANASI) Contemporary, 20th Century Rendered in oil on canvas, the composition presents an abstracted cityscape articulated through angular, interlocking planes of colour. The palette ranges from warm ochres and pale creams in the foreground to vibrant greens, blues, and yellows across the upper register. Architectural elements—arched façades, stepped terraces, sloping roofs—are refracted into faceted geometries bordered by dark, painterly outlines. The surface shows thick, textured impasto applied in layered strokes, creating a dynamic interplay of depth and luminosity. The artist’s signature appears at the lower right. The work depicts an urban landscape associated with Varanasi, expressed through a modernist vocabulary that fragments built forms into rhythmic spatial arrangements. Scenes of this type characterise Ram Kumar’s engagement with architectural memory and spatial abstraction during the mid- to late 20th century. Measurements: 36 x 24 inches Provenance: British Private Collection circa 2003; thence by descent; previously acquired from a Delhi Art Gallery, with a copy of the original invoice available to the winning bidder who has paid in full