Husain: The Timeless Modernist

Experience the largest showing of a collection that translates every phase of M F Husain’s artistic journey from the 1950s to the 2000s and reflects on his everlasting impact on the modern Indian art. Husain: The Timeless Modernist brings together 116 works including depictions of women as mythological, historical and everyday beings; his fascination with horses—rooted in childhood experiences and observations of India’s culturally diverse practices; drawings and paintings that explore the idea of nationhood; and portraits and self-portraits that reflect his larger-than-life social persona. 

The exhibition highlights Husain’s dynamism and versatility as an artist who embraced all forms of art, including cinema. It features works ranging from toys and sculptures to acrylic sheets used as props for his film sets, a rare edition of photographs taken in Madras titled "Culture of the Streets", and, of course, his distinctive paintings from different periods of his practice. Archival material in the exhibition includes his poetry manuscripts from the late 1950s, which attest to his engagement with language and poetry, as well as exhibition invitations, photographs, and preparatory drawings.