
Nima Sagharchi
Group Head
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Sold for £69,700 inc. premium
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Group Head

Head of Department

Provenance: Private Collection, France; acquired in Zurich.
This artwork was executed in 1983.
M.F Husain travelled extensively throughout his lifetime and allowed for the influence of the cultures he experienced to consistently inspire him in his art. In the 1950s, Husain travelled to China, where he encountered the forms and themes that would lead him to create his now-legendary horse figures. As a Muslim, Husain frequently travelled to the Middle East and Pakistan, where he was heavily influenced by calligraphy, architecture, mosaics and most importantly, his faith of Islam.
This particular piece Walk on Earth embraces all of these factors. In the Qu'ran, it states "Do not walk pompously or arrogantly about the earth; you cannot break it open, nor match the mountains in height." Husain's title embodies this sentiment and the feel of the piece, with the colours and textures he has used on the horses, particularly the green - the colour of Islam - and blue horse to the far right.