Lot#59 || Prahlad Karmakar (d. 1946)
HIMALAYAN BOY
Oil on board
Signed lower left
13.50 x 9.00 in
Estimate ₹ 50,000 - ₹ 1,00,000
PROVENANCE
Private Collection Kolkata
Private Collection Kolkata
DESCRIPTION
Prahlad Karmakar was a classically trained studio artist from Calcutta (now Kolkata). He gained fame for his mastery in painting realistic scenes. The renowned artist was also an influential teacher at the Government College of Art & Craft in Kolkata (his alma mater). He received recognition and commissions for realistic portraits of British administrators and Maharajas. His creative paintings were sought after by collectors. Karmakar defied the norms of the conservative atmosphere of Victorian-era British India and organised nude study classes in his studio. Unfortunately, he passed away just before India gained independence and turmoil followed including communal riots. After his death, his house was partitioned and hooligans attacked his studio and set his paintings on fire. This artwork depicting a Himalayan Boy is one of the few that survived the fire tragedy.
Prahlad Karmakar was a classically trained studio artist from Calcutta (now Kolkata). He gained fame for his mastery in painting realistic scenes. The renowned artist was also an influential teacher at the Government College of Art & Craft in Kolkata (his alma mater). He received recognition and commissions for realistic portraits of British administrators and Maharajas. His creative paintings were sought after by collectors. Karmakar defied the norms of the conservative atmosphere of Victorian-era British India and organised nude study classes in his studio. Unfortunately, he passed away just before India gained independence and turmoil followed including communal riots. After his death, his house was partitioned and hooligans attacked his studio and set his paintings on fire. This artwork depicting a Himalayan Boy is one of the few that survived the fire tragedy.
