Watercolour and oil pastel on paper 
26 x 36 (visible), 47.5 x 57.5 x 3cm (framed)
Condition: Very good

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Reba Hore (Indian, 1926–2008) was a renowned Indian modernist artist whose evocative works in painting and printmaking capture themes of human struggle, displacement, and resilience. Educated at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata, Hore was deeply influenced by the socio-political movements of her time, including India’s struggle for independence and the Bengal Famine of 1943. Her early exposure to the works of master painters such as Rabindranath Tagore and her later association with modernist circles in Santiniketan shaped her unique artistic vision, blending the lyrical traditions of Indian art with modernist abstraction.

Hore’s works are characterised by a stark yet sensitive portrayal of human suffering and endurance, often reflecting her empathy for marginalised communities and her reflections on social injustice. Her minimalist compositions, rendered in delicate lines and subdued colours, convey a raw emotional depth. In printmaking, she skillfully employed etching and drypoint techniques, using textured marks to evoke the fragility and transience of life. This piece adopts an abstract green and yellow colour palette with fragmented human forms, typical of Hore’s style, symbolising themes of alienation and survival in a rapidly changing world. 

A member of the Calcutta Group, one of India’s first modernist collectives, Hore was part of a pioneering movement that sought to break away from traditionalist art forms and address contemporary realities. Her personal experiences, including her marriage to the celebrated sculptor Somnath Hore, further deepened her engagement with humanist and revolutionary themes. Reba Hore’s legacy lies in her ability to convey profound human emotions with simplicity and restraint, making her a significant figure in Indian modern art and an enduring inspiration for future generations of socially conscious artists.

Acquired from Arushi Arts, New Delhi, India.

Certificate of Authenticity available.

(Photographed in January 2025)