The rebel painter who ushered in a new era of Indian art

Vasudeo Gaitonde, born on November 2, 1924, is celebrated as one of the most significant abstract painters in South Asia. His journey as an artist is remarkable, as he was part of a revolutionary group of artists who transformed Indian art during the mid-20th century. Gaitonde was deeply influenced by Western painting techniques, yet he remained grounded in Asian philosophy. His artwork is known for its unique use of light and texture, which many admirers believe evokes a profound sense of tranquility. Yamini Mehta, who served as the international head of South Asian Art at Sotheby’s, described Gaitonde's paintings as 'meditations on the light and universe. ' The interplay of light and shadow in his work creates a dynamic experience for viewers. Throughout his career, Gaitonde did not seek fame or wealth, but his paintings have continued to attract significant attention at auctions long after his passing in 2001. In 2022, one of his untitled oil paintings sold for an astonishing 420 million rupees, which is nearly 5 million dollars. The bluish tones of this painting reminded many of the vastness of the sea or the sky. Another notable piece, an untitled oil on canvas created in 1961, was auctioned for close to 400 million rupees. Before Gaitonde set the record for the most expensive Indian painting in 2022, this 1961 painting held the title just a year prior. Gaitonde lived much of his life as a recluse, deeply influenced by Japanese Zen philosophy, which often reflected in his artistic approach. He once shared in a rare interview with journalist Pritish Nandy in 1991, 'Everything starts from silence. The silence of the canvas. The silence of the painting knife. The painter starts by absorbing all these silences… Your entire being is working together with the brush, the painting knife, the canvas to absorb that silence and create. ' Originally from Goa, Gaitonde's family moved to Mumbai, where they lived in a modest three-room apartment in a chawl, a type of affordable housing for the working class. Despite his father's disapproval of his artistic ambitions, Gaitonde pursued his passion and enrolled in the prestigious JJ School of Arts in Mumbai in 1946. He funded his own education and graduated with a diploma in 1948. Gaitonde was part of the Progressive Artists Group, formed in 1947 in Mumbai to promote new artistic expressions. This group included prominent artists like Francis Souza, SH Raza, MF Husain, and Bhanu Athaiya, the first Indian to win an Oscar. Gaitonde also worked at the Bhulabhai Desai Memorial Institute, a creative hub frequented by legends such as sitarist Ravi Shankar and theatre artist Ebrahim Alkazi. Artist and writer Satish Naik noted that this was a vibrant time for creativity in Mumbai. At that time, Indian art was largely focused on realism, seen in the murals of the Ajanta caves and Mughal miniature paintings. Gaitonde began his career with realistic works but soon sought a different path, becoming one of the first artists to reject traditional forms in favor of formlessness. 'In that sense, he was a rebel. He wanted to paint as it pleased him, not as someone dictated to him,' Naik explained. Gaitonde's deep interest in spirituality played a significant role in his artistic development. He once stated, 'My paintings are nothing else but the reflection of nature. ' Although he lived a reclusive life, his artworks continue to command high prices at auctions. In 1963, American abstract painter Morris Graves visited India and was captivated by Gaitonde's work. He wrote to Dan and Marian Johnson of the Willard Gallery in New York, praising Gaitonde as 'one of the finest' painters he had ever encountered. Graves compared Gaitonde's talent to that of renowned artist Mark Rothko, stating, 'He is an abstract painter with something unspeakably beautiful and clean. They are the most beautiful landscapes of the mind plus light. ' In 1964, Gaitonde moved to New York after receiving the Rockefeller Fellowship, which allowed him to meet American modern artists and further develop his style. In 1971, he was honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, for his exceptional contributions to art. However, as his fame grew, Gaitonde became increasingly withdrawn. His disciple, renowned artist Laxman Shreshtha, recounted how MF Husain would often attempt to visit Gaitonde at his home in Delhi. 'If Gaitonde didn’t want to meet anyone, he would not open the door, not even for Husain who would sketch something on the door and go. That was Husain’s way of saying 'I had dropped by. ' Gaitonde's expansive canvases are known to invoke a sense of calmness. After a spinal injury in 1984, his output decreased significantly, but he continued to create art in his mind. Gaitonde's growing stature as an artist made his paintings rarer, adding to their allure and mystery. This rarity is one reason why his works command such high prices even today. When Gaitonde passed away in 2001 at the age of 77, his death went largely unnoticed, as he had lived in obscurity during his final years. Nevertheless, his thought-provoking canvases continued to resonate worldwide. Cara Manes, an associate curator at the Museum of Modern Art, remarked that Gaitonde’s works embodied what silence might look like, yet they also possessed a shimmering quality that contrasted with the solid marks and assertive colors. For Gaitonde, art was a deeply personal form of self-expression, and he often said, 'I let the colors flow and watch. That is my painting.