Horse I by MF Husain
1206, Asthavinayak, 14 x 20 in, Reproduction on Paper, Limited Edition of 500, 1998, LR in English (Pencil Signed)
In this vision, Ganesha is drawn into a tilted decorative frame only to step beyond it, reminding us that divinity cannot be confined. A lotus rests at the corner like a lamp, while the god holds the universe with ease, his raised hand offering nearness and reassurance. Husain’s frame quivers with restless lines, yet Ganesha’s rounded curves soften the scene, turning art into companionship.
The surface is bathed in sepia washes, recalling temple walls and parchment aged by ritual. Against this earthiness, white highlights on the lotus and orb shine softly, as though lit from within. Husain’s bold contours never freeze; they keep the figure alive and moving.
The spirit of the work is intimacy. The god crosses the edge not as an image but as a presence who approaches gently. What lingers is the closeness of a protector who steadies the cosmos with one hand and extends blessing with the other.
Photos and Text © Chaitya Dhanvi Shah
