Untitled

Chasing perfection and personal satisfaction, Amalnath Chakladhar often devoted several years to a canvas, including this Untitled classical portrait done over nearly two decades. Though he forged an individual style, he pays an ode here to the Bengal School that dominated India’s artistic firmament for several decades—the bearing of the maiden with a pet bird and the wispiness of her garments have an Ajanta-esque lilt while the diluted shades recall wash colours of the seminal school. The diaphanous veil covering the lady’s face and unclothed upper half of the body lends soft sensuality to the work.