Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
Husain was born and raised in Heera Mandi, (the Diamond Market), otherwise known as the Red-light district in the old city of Lahore. His mother was one of the prostitutes and Husain was one of the few children of Heera Mandi to get a college education. He graduated from the National College of Arts Lahore and taught there until his retirement. Most of his portraits are ladies from his neighborhood and many are ladies of the night. His ladies are somber, but attractive and seemingly not so different from working ladies outside this environment.