FRANCIS NEWTON SOUZA (1924-2002)

While in Bombay, circa 1965, Souza would invite Mohan Sharma, a young artist from Jaipur who painted miniatures, to work with him on his drawings over a five month period. Souza was impressed with Sharma's precise brushstrokes and very fine lines. Inspired by his work, Souza experimented with the miniature technique in Cactus Landscape. Suggesting Catholic architecture which informed so much of Souza's oeuvre, this landscape wavers between reality and fiction with its corniced building and meandering ground line. The blooming cactus and birds so obviously out of proportion to the building in the background adds an element of charm and whimsy. Souza's radiant palette exhibits his skill with pattern, composition and form. The small body of works in this style all date from this same year.