MAQBOOL FIDA HUSAIN (1913-2011)

"The central concern of Husain's art, and its dominant motif, is woman […]. Man, in Husain's view, is dynamic only in heroism. He is diminished by confusion and broken by unbelief, and these are unheroic and unbelieving times. Spiritually, woman is more enduring. Pain comes naturally to her, as do compassion and a sense of birth and death of things. In Husain's work, woman has the gift of eagerness […] and an inward attentiveness, as if she were listening to the life coursing within her." (R. Bartholomew and S. Kapur, Husain, New York, 1971, p. 46)

Husain's paintings of this period reflect his love of India and knowledge of rural life. This is a prime example of the artist returning to his roots with a favourite theme of the 'Indian village life'. The painting’s title Vasant means ‘spring’ and Husain’s joyful depiction of colourfully dressed women carrying pots with fresh green shoots sprouting out, represent signs of new life.