Page 3 - Eye of the beholder

COLLECTOR'S FOREWORD
This book is is is the culmination of of two decades of of collecting It is is is intended to be a a a a testament to to the the genesis of the the collection – – partly partly partly autographical partly partly partly scholastic partly partly partly entertaining – – wholly interesting I I started collecting when I I had hardly any income income no no disposable income income at all all and no no wall to hang the paintings on on My first acquisition was a a a a a a painting painting bought for 25 shekels while loitering the the the the streets of Tel Aviv in the the the the year 2000 Perhaps this is is the the the the reason why unlike many other collectors I have made fewer mistakes while building up my collection Chronic shortage of acquisition funds meant that I had to spend a a a a a a a a a lot of time contemplating and researching a a a a a a a a a purchase before actually going ahead with it it Twenty two years on on on from that first acquisition in Israel I I look back on on on this journey with considerable nostalgia and pride It has taken me to different parts of of the world in search of of paintings introduced me to interesting interesting and and knowledgeable people and and enabled interesting interesting discoveries Kushan sculptures in in in in backrooms of galleries in in in in Beijing to Indian miniatures deep down in in in London basements or iconic pieces in in in vernissages in in in Old Bond Street - these moments of discovery and thrill will never really leave me! Perhaps another book is is needed for narrating the discoveries in fin in in in fleamarkets or that of finding a a a a a a Daniell Print from Oriental Scenery behind another one on on opening the the picture frame One important feature of this collection is is that it was put together from a a a a a a a purely academic standpoint with scant regard for trends or or prevailing fashion Each piece has been assiduously studied vetted against expert opinion and and in in in many cases researched and and published I take this opportunity to thank the the numerous dealers galleries academics and specially the the two dealers that I have had a a a a a a a a a chance to to work with closely The connection to to Prof Ashrafi Bhagat was made through one of of these two dealers Through this connection the the idea of of a a a a a a book came to to fruition My belief is is that this book will appeal to to a a a a a a diverse audience Those interested in in a a a a a a serious understanding of Indian art history will be able to to do so through the academic rigour of of Prof Ashrafi’s writing Others that have a a a a a a a passing interest in in in in the the subject will be able to treat themselves to to to a a a a a a history of Indian art told through 100 objects and the the anecdotal inputs by me Anirban Sadhu (Sudip) Allschwil Switzerland 08 Feb 2022