The Couple

ca. 1956

Not on view

From 1947 to 1952, Samant studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, where he was exposed to a colonial curriculum, copying plaster casts of classical sculpture and studying Indian miniature painting. The latter, particularly Basohli painting, aided the development of his own aesthetic sensibilities. During this time, Samant visited numerous historic sites in India, familiarizing himself with the classical arts of the country, which provided images and motifs that he would reference throughout his career. The Couple exemplifies Samant’s practice, which tended towards abstraction with elements of figuration, while clearly indicating his adaptation of motifs and compositional strategies from Indian miniature painting. Its scratched and slightly distressed surface anticipates the artist’s future experiments with textural impasto.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: The Couple
Artist: Mohan Samant (Indian, Mumbai 1924–2004 New York)
Date: ca. 1956
Medium: Oil and plaster on paperboard
Dimensions: 36 3/8 × 40 3/4 in. (92.4 × 103.5 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Jillian Samant, 2017
Object Number: 2017.650.1
Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

By Mohan Samant

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

The Astrologer, Mohan Samant Indian, Oil, plaster, charcoal on canvas — The Astrologer
Mohan Samant
1964

The Temple, Mohan Samant Indian, Cut and folded papers, marker, paint, and sand on canvas — The Temple
Mohan Samant
1975–80

Abstract Signs and Temple Frieze, Mohan Samant Indian, Oil, plaster, sand, charcoal on canvas — Abstract Signs and Temple Frieze
Mohan Samant
1964

Fall, Sudhir Patwardhan Indian, Acrylic on canvas — Fall
Sudhir Patwardhan
1998

Untitled, Nasreen Mohamedi Indian, Black ink, wash, and graphite on paper — Untitled
Nasreen Mohamedi
ca. 1970

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.