Paresh Maity (Indian, B. 1965) Untitled (Boats)

Paresh Maity (Indian, B. 1965)
Untitled (Boats)
signed 'Paresh Maity 2000' lower right
watercolour on paper, framed
52.5 x 73.4cm (20 11/16 x 28 7/8in).
Provenance
Property from a private collection, UK;
Acquired from Birla Academy, Mumbai in 2003.

Maity is known for his paintings of boats and water bodies and the present lot is an exquisite example from his oeuvre. His interest in painting boats stems from his fascination with the relationship between humans and water and he sees boats as a metaphor for the journey of life, which is characterised by movement, transformation, and change.

Maity's paintings of boats also reflect his upbringing in the city of Tamluk, West Bengal, which is situated on the banks of the Rupnarayan River. The river and the boats that sailed on it were an integral part of Maity's childhood, and he often incorporates elements of his memories into his paintings. Moreover, his boats are also influenced by his travels to different parts of the world, where he has observed and captured the essence of water bodies and their surroundings. He is particularly drawn to the colours and textures of boats and the reflections they create on the water, which he skilfully depicts in his paintings.