Name/Title

Valentina

Entry/Object ID

2019.011

Collection

Hundal Collection

Made/Created

Artist

Maqbool Fida Husain

Date made

1982

Time Period

20th Century

Dimensions

Height

30 in

Width

24 in

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Husain was more interested in pictorial aesthetics than titillating the viewer with a sexy nude. Valentina’s features are muted and her raised hand acts as a ‘ward off’ gesture as well as a form to balance the empty space. Her body is perfectly proportioned and lithe, but her breast is purposefully hidden. The blue skin color, not uncommon among depictions of Hindu gods and goddesses, stands out against the orange carpet and green background. Husain was a master with pictorial composition