Beschreibung:

George Keyt (1901-1993)Untitled (Seated Figure Holding a Sitar)
signed and dated 'G Keyt 63'
ink on paper
37 x 51cm (14 9/16 x 20 1/16in).FootnotesProvenance
Property from the Estate of Iranee Zarb, Canada.
Acquired in Colombo by Iranee (née de Soysa) and her husband Francis Zarb in the 1970s;
Thence by descent.
'The most widely-known of Sri Lanka's painters, Keyt developed a style that was indisputably modern and recognisably oriental, reflecting his deep interest in Buddhism and later in Hindu culture. Very early in his career, he studied Sinhala and Buddhism and translated Sinhala folk tales into English, but it was his enjoyment of the culture around him that won him acclaim, both in Sri Lanka and in India, where he was accepted as a genuine and illustrious interpreter.' (Neville Weereratne, The Sapumal Foundation Collection, Sri Lanka, 2009, p.88.)
The four ink on drawings from the Estate of Iranee Zarb (née de Soysa) are fantastic examples from Keyt's oeuvre and exemplify his abilities in wielding the medium with precision and spontaneity. His lines are fluid and expressive and the subjects depicted encapsulate the themes Keyt had a profound reverence for, including love, passion and the eternal dance of life. His subjects are drawn from mythology, folklore and every day life, and are rendered with a distinctive sensuality that captivates the viewer. The female form is depicted across all four paintings, and yet their treatment is unique in each one. Each figure is alive with movement, and the figures appear to be swirling in a graceful rhythm that mirrors the vibrancy of human experience. His mastery of form and line is evident, as he effortlessly shifts between abstraction and representation.
Untitled (Bearded Man & Woman) is the most intimate of the four works. The bearded man has a contemplative gaze and their physical proximity suggests a profound connection. The sinuous lines of their bodies and the meticulous rendering of their facial features reveals Keyt's deep appreciation for the aesthetics of the human body.
In Untitled (Reclining Nude Female Form), Keyt captures the languid elegance of the woman. His geometric lines are both precise and fluid and celebrate the soft curves and subtle musculature of the body.
In Untitled (Seated Woman holding a Sitar) Keyt infuses the woman's form with elegance and grace, mirrored in the iconic Indian musical instrument. The Sitar is associated with the Swan, Peacock and Lotus flower and her serene demeanour and the fluid lines of her figure evoke a harmonious synergy between the musician, her instrument and the music itself.
Untitled (Female figure holding a mirror) melds the timeless elegance of the female form with the bold innovations of Cubism. The female figures contours and features are fragmented and reassembled through the lens of Cubism, as evidenced in the geometric shapes and angular lines that characterise the woman's form. The central motif of the mirror introduces an intriguing layer of complexity to the composition. It is a symbol of reflection and self-examination. What makes this stand out however is that Keyt infuses his modernist approach with a unique sense of grace and sensuality, creating a harmonious fusion of innovation and tradition.
These drawings by George Keyt are from the Estate of the late Iranee Zarb (née de Soysa) which she and her husband Francis Zarb bought on one of their many visits to Sri Lanka, likely in the 1970's. Iranee was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and left to study at The International School of Geneva with her brother Rohan, when she was 12 years old. Her brother is the current chairman of The Sapumal Foundation, which was the home of their granduncle Harry Pieris, both of whose grandmothers were first cousins of the well-known philanthropist Charles Henry de Soysa. The Sapumal Foundation has an extensive collection of art bequeathed by Harry Pieris by Last Will along with his charming property".
The Sapumal Foundation was established in 1974 by artist Harry Pieris to house and display the extensive collection of art and books he had built up over his life. It has examples of work by all 10 core artists of the '43 Group (founded in 1943).This rambling old house is open to the public free of charge, to advance the cause of art and thereby enrich people's lives. It has over 300 works on display at any one time. All the walls are covered with paintings. Space has been given to art classes, craft classes and related disciplines to practice their skills.
Bonhams extends their gratitude to Mr Rohan de Soysa for his assistance with cataloguing these works.