KATTINJERI KRISHNA HEBBAR (1911-1996) FISHING LADIES, SIGNED & DATED BOTTOM RIGHT 81

Oil on Canvas

Size: 43 x 42 inches

Property of Mr & Mrs Gupta Family

Footnotes: Born on June 15, 1911, near Udupi in Karnataka, Kattinjeri Krishna Hebbar's
artistic inclination bloomed early, nurtured by the delicate hands of his father shaping
Ganesha idols. Despite his dalliance with impressionism at the Sir J. J. School of Art, Bombay,
from 1934-38, Indian classical art remained his enduring muse. Guided by the profound
wisdom of Sri Lankan philosopher Ananda Coomaraswamy, Hebbar embarked on a journey
into the tapestry of traditional Indian art, weaving its essence with surrealism and
abstraction. Enraptured by Amrita Sher-Gil's fusion of Eastern ethos with Western
techniques, Hebbar sought deeper enlightenment in Europe in 1949.Under the luminous
mentorship of Professor Cavailles at the Académie Julian, Paris, he honed his craft, later
delving into the realms of graphics at École Estienne. From 1964-75, he traversed Europe,
sharing his vision through exhibitions. Upon his return, Hebbar, an eternal seeker,
experimented with mediums and rhythms, even embracing Kathak to decipher the
heartbeat of creation.Instinctively capturing the ethos of a burgeoning India, he painted a
tableau of both jubilation and sorrow. Recognized as a fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi in
1976, he chaired the Artist's Centre, Bombay, from 1953-73, and was adorned with the
Padma Bhushan in 1989. His legacy transcends mortal confines, lingering in the ethereal
realm of artistic immortality, as he departed on March 26, 1996.