| Medium | : | Tempera |
|---|---|---|
| Height | : | 28 inch / 71.1 cm |
| Width | : | 22 inch / 55.9 cm |
| Surface | : | Board |
| Style | : | Figurative Paintings |
| Dimension | : | W: 55.9 cm × H: 71.1 cm |
| Year | : | 2016 |
A refined pair of tempera on board works by Lalu Prasad Shaw, featuring a man and woman in contemplative poses. With bold colors, stylized forms, and folk-inspired detailing, the artworks create a subtle narrative of connection and everyday poetry.
Lalu Prasad Shaw | Babu-Bibi | Tempera on Board | 28 x 22 inches | 2016 (Set of 2 works)
This captivating set of two works by Lalu Prasad Shaw reflects the artist’s mastery in combining traditional Indian aesthetics with contemporary narrative sensibilities. Executed in tempera on board, the paintings depict a woman and a man in separate yet visually connected compositions, suggesting a quiet, intimate exchange across space.
The woman, dressed in a green sari with delicate jewelry, is shown gently smelling a flower — an act that conveys grace, introspection, and sensory delight. In contrast, the man, clad in a striped kurta and dhoti, holds a small bouquet while smoking, embodying a relaxed yet contemplative demeanor. Together, the two figures create a subtle emotional dialogue — poised between presence and distance.
The bold vermilion-red background enhances the visual impact, while Shaw’s signature use of crisp outlines, flat color planes, and stylized forms draws inspiration from Indian miniature and folk traditions. The tempera medium lends a smooth, matte finish, enriching the clarity and vibrancy of the composition.
As a pair, these works function as a narrative diptych — balanced, harmonious, and quietly evocative—making them a compelling addition for collectors who value refined storytelling and cultural depth in modern Indian art.
Born in Suri Bengal, in 1937, Lalu Prasad Shaw obtained a Diploma in Painting from the Government College of Art and Craft, Calcutta, in 1959.
Despite training in Company School art, traditional Kalighat pats and Ajanta cave frescos, Shaw evolved his distinctive style to work in watercolours and oil. His teachers were some of the leading artists of the time, such as Gopal Ghose, Rathin Maitra, and Maniklal Banerjee.
In the 1970s, Shaw mastered the genre of graphics — initiated by the Society of Contemporary Artists — expressing it through the abstract form. Shaw experimented with the two-dimensional, geometric and non-figurative, as is evident in his lithographs.
Unlike his prints, Shaw’s paintings are charged with nostalgia and are object-specific. His brooding characters — men, women, and children — seem frozen into a kind of quiescent gesture; they are formal and speechless, but still expressive. Drawing from Mughal miniatures and adhering largely to profiles framed within borders along the edges, Shaw depicts faces of ordinary people, emphasising their physical characteristics. He has also experimented with landscapes, appearing to merge the urban and rural visual in styles ranging from the minimalist to cubist-inspired. His confident use of broad blocks of colours placed harmoniously is seen here too.
Shaw has exhibited extensively in India and abroad and his works form part of national and international collections. He has received prestigious awards like the West Bengal Lalit Kala Akademi award, the national award of the Lalit Kala Akademi, and the Birla Academy award. He lives and works in Kolkata.
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