Lot 10: She Stoops to Conquer

Shiavax Chavda (1914-1990)
She Stoops to Conquer
signed and dated 'S. Chavda 1967' (lower right); signed again in Hindi (lower right); inscribed 'SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER (Bharat Natyam) Dancer by Shiavax Chavda 1967' (on the reverse)
tempera and oil on canvas
34 x 34in. (86.3 x 86.3cm.)
Painted in 1967

Pundole Art Gallery, Mumbai. Acquired from the Pundole Art Gallery by the present owner circa 1965

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN ITALY


Chavda's interest in dance and music began as a student when he worked for the Russian stage designer, Leon Bakst, Sir Thomas Beecham and the Diaghilev Ballet. Throughout his career he painted Indian, Russian, Balinese and Javanese dancers. He used the subject of a dancer in motion to explore the rhythmic aspects of his own compositions. The minimalistic use of line to capture a form or pose remained integral to his painting style throughout his life.