F N Souza painting leads Christie's South Asian sale in London

A large double portrait by Modern Indian master F N Souza estimated to fetch USD 1.7 million to USD 2.5 million leads the Modern and Contemporary South Asian art sale by Christie's slated here on June 11.
Souza's painting "Man and Woman Grinding their Teeth" executed in 1957 Souza borrows from traditional African art and cubism with both figures painted with mask-like faces and elongated features.
A catalogue brought out by the auction house shows Souza with the work in his studio in a photograph taken by Ida Kar in the same year it was painted.
The large-scale work was formerly owned by Harold Kovner, a wealthy American hospital owner and collector who was a great supporter of the artist during a critical period, auctioneers said in a statement.

The upcoming sale also offers a 31 pieces of contemporary works from the collection of Willem Baars, a Dutch gallerist, critic and curator, who had in the 1990s made his first trip to India as a backpacking 19-year-old.
"Since then he has been a patron collector and gallerist instrumental in making Amsterdam the unlikely artistic and creative haven for many Indian contemporary artists," according to the auctioneers.
"This is the second of the year 2014's four sales for international department that is set to conclude with our second sale in India, to be held in Mumbai this December," the auctioneers said.

A second artwork by Souza, also formerly from collection of Kovner and titled "Imbecile Girl in a Green Blouse" showcasing a half-naked girl set against a crimson background, has been estimated to fetch USD 2,10,000-USD 3,00,000.