Untitled

L. T. P. Manjusri

dated April 18, 1974 · Watercolor on paper · Asian Art

In this enigmatic painting, the artist is represented only by the hand poised with a paintbrush. Two woman, one viewed frontally, the other in profile, occupy the foreground. They are set within a forest populated with a lion, an elephant, birds, a butterfly and a toad, set in a hybrid landscape which includes Persianate-style rock formations and clouds, as well as Japanese inspired cheery blossom, bamboo and other landscape elements. The rich complexity of design elements adds to the paintings engaging presence. The artist was a member of an influential group of independent modern artists based in and around Colombo in the 1940s, and continued to be one of the most significant painters of modern Sri Lanka.

Artist

L. T. P. Manjusri

Date

dated April 18, 1974

Medium

Watercolor on paper

Culture

Sinhala

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Lin Lougheed Collection, Gift of Lin Lougheed, 2016