£800 - £1,000
"Untitled" - ABDUR RAHMAN CHUGHTAI (1894-1975), Water Colour Wash.
Rendered in soft, dreamlike hues, the scene depicts two veiled women in a tranquil garden — one seated, the other gracefully offering a bowl. The composition is framed by a slender tree with stylized leaves and vines. The figures' elongated forms and serene expressions speak to introspection and quiet ritual. Signed in Urdu at the lower left.
Abdur Rahman Chughtai (1894–1975) was one of South Asia’s most revered modern artists, often hailed as the first significant modern Muslim painter of Pakistan. Born in Lahore during the British Raj, he was classically trained in the Mughal miniature painting tradition and later attended the Mayo School of Arts (now the National College of Arts). Chughtai developed a highly individualistic style that blended elements of Mughal, Persian, and Islamic art with Art Nouveau and modernist sensibilities, creating poetic and romantic imagery that became instantly recognizable.
Chughtai's accomplishments spanned visual art, printmaking, and book illustration. He produced over 2,000 paintings, illustrated classic texts such as the Diwan of Ghalib and Mirza Ghalib’s Urdu poetry, and published his own illustrated books, including Muraqqa-i-Chughtai (1928), which brought him international acclaim. His work was exhibited widely across Europe, the United States, and Asia, making him a cultural ambassador for the subcontinent.
Following the independence of Pakistan, he was chosen to design official state imagery, including postage stamps and currency, and his work played a key role in shaping the visual identity of the new nation. In recognition of his contributions, Chughtai received numerous honors, including the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards. Today, the Chughtai Museum in Lahore houses his legacy, preserving his lyrical vision that celebrated Islamic heritage, romanticism, and the aesthetics of the East through a uniquely modern lens.
Approximately 75 x 55cm
Provenance: Private collection from a distinguished USA collector.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
30% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
26.40% inc VAT*
