The Final Art of Tyeb Mehta

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Tyeb Mehta died on July 2, aged 84. In the last twenty years, his main theme was the human figure unbalanced against its surroundings. Gradually, his works have become stronger, with an increased simplification, strident colors and the loss of vertical marks.

Almost a year ago, I discussed here a masterpiece of 2003, Fallen Figure with Bird. This acrylic on canvas, 182 x 149 cm, was sold $ 1.5 million including expenses by Sotheby's on 18 September 2008.

Indian mythology provides examples of the struggle of man and beast, and the episode of the warrior goddess Durga killing the buffalo demon Mahisha has repeatedly inspired Mehta. The struggle of these two mythical beings is a suitable theme for representing an imbalance of tangled bodies.

On September 16 in New York, Christie's sells one of these "Mahishasura". Dated 1994, 150 x 120 cm, this acrylic on canvas pioneers the use of color to exacerbate violence. The characters, human and monster, both have the mouth wide open in their heroic effort. The estimate, $ 600 K, is reasonable.

This work has already gone once through Christie's. It was sold $ 107 K in 2002, including premium. Contemporary art is so: an unknown artist becomes a star in a few years. Mehta was fortunate that the success came to him during his lifetime.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The estimate had seemed prudent. I was right. Mahishasura was sold $ 1.28 million fee included. This result is close to the Fallen Figure with Bird that I took as a reference in my article.

Another painting titled Two Figures was presented in the same sale, with the same estimate of $ 600K. On a more classic style in the work of Mehta, it realized 926 K$ including expenses.

Too bad this dual tribute to the artist is granted posthumously ...