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M.F. Husain
I have not intended to denigrate or hurt the beliefs of anyone through my art. I only give expression to the instincts from my soul. India is my motherland. Wherever I find love I will accept it.
M.F. Husain
Contemporary Artist
About Artist
M.F. Husain, a pioneer of Indian art, fused traditional and contemporary elements to create captivating paintings. His bold strokes and expressive lines, combined with vibrant colors, imbue his subjects with dynamic energy. Drawing inspiration from Indian folklore, mythology, and modern culture, Husain's works transcend time. His unique style, with a touch of cubism, leaves an indelible impression...
M.F. Husain, a pioneer of Indian art, fused traditional and contemporary elements to create captivating paintings. His bold strokes and expressive lines, combined with vibrant colors, imbue his subjects with dynamic energy. Drawing inspiration from Indian folklore, mythology, and modern culture, Husain's works transcend time. His unique style, with a touch of cubism, leaves an indelible impression on viewers.
In addition to his paintings, Husain ventured into filmmaking, receiving acclaim for his movies, including "Through the Eyes of a Painter" and "Gajagamini." Recognized for his contributions, he received prestigious honors such as the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan from the Indian government. Throughout his seven-decade career, Husain broke new ground, pushing the boundaries of Indian art and inspiring future generations. In 2011, the art world mourned the loss of M.F. Husain as he passed away in London, leaving behind a legacy of captivating and visionary art. Browse through the individual series of Husain's serigraphs here: Horses by Husain Theorama Series by Husain The British Raj by Husain Mother Theresa by Husain
M.F. Husain: The Visionary Who Redefined Indian Modern Art
M.F. Husain, one of India’s most celebrated artists, seamlessly blended tradition and modernism throughout his career. Awarded the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, his legacy transcended the confines of galleries, spanning thousands of paintings, films, and serigraphs. Husain’s work, influenced by Indian history, mythology, and society, often explored themes of rural life, mythology, and the female form, reflecting a deep connection to India’s identity. Despite facing controversy and exile, his art, marked by boldness and innovation, continues to resonate globally. Husain’s fearless pursuit of artistic freedom and his ability to merge tradition with contemporary themes have left an indelible mark on the art world.
Introduction: The Master of Bold Expression
Maqbool Fida Husain, a 20th-century Indian artist and a poet, who blended art and modernism, rose to become one of the nation's most recognizable artistic figures. His vibrant paintings, bursting with colour and bold shapes, explored themes from Indian history, mythology, and even pop culture. As a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group (PAG), Husain pioneered a unique style, adapting the European Cubist movement to Indian subjects. He worked across various mediums, from traditional oil, acrylic, and watercolors to more contemporary techniques like offset printing and serigraphy.
Early Life & Cultural Influences: The Making of a Visionary
Born around 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, having lost his mother during his infancy, he was sent to his grandfather's Madrasa in Gujarat on that account. His early exposure to Urdu language and literature is where he developed a deep interest in the geometric forms of Kufic calligraphy. Later on, his family moved to Indore, where he developed quite a liking for Hindu Mythology as he was exposed to RamLeela performances (which enact scenes from deity Ram's life). It was there that he took an interest in poetry as well which led him to participate in evening Mushairas or poetry recital contests.
Celebrating India's Culture and Mythology
M.F. Husain's deep love for India is evident throughout his career. His paintings are a treasure trove of Indian subjects and symbols, reflecting his fascination with the country's political landscape, rich history, captivating mythology, diverse people, and vibrant cultures. In the years following India's independence, Husain turned his focus to the nation's foundation, depicting rural life, hardworking farmers, and motifs like horses and wheels. Paintings like "Peasant Couple" (1950) and "Zamin" (1955) exemplify this period. He also skillfully blended his appreciation for Rajasthani miniatures with the starker realities of contemporary urban India, as seen in "Amusement in the Street" (1957). Notably, the female form was a recurring theme in Husain's work. He explored women in various contexts - from domesticity to epic figures and goddesses - often imbuing them with a sense of power ("shakti") as reflected in works like "Durga" (1964) and "Draupadi" (1971).
Husain's Creative Vision
M.F. Husain's artistic expression transcended the confines of galleries. A prolific creator, he produced thousands of paintings and even ventured into filmmaking. His 1967 short film, "Through the Eyes of a Painter," garnered international acclaim. His later films explored strong female characters, reflecting a recurring theme in his art. However, his artistic freedom faced challenges. As Hindu fundamentalists gained traction, his depictions of deities sparked controversy. Facing legal battles, vandalism, and government indifference, Husain went into exile in 2006. Despite the turmoil, his artistic legacy remains secure, with his works displayed in prestigious collections worldwide.
Crafting Legacy Through Serigraphs
M.F. Husain signing one of his limited edition serigraphs
A Trailblazer Whose Art Transcended Time
M.F. Husain, a man draped in the twin honors of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. Given the misfortunes he faced in his final years, he left no stone unturned until the very end to keep his legacy alive. The impact of his artistic output echoed far beyond the years he spent creating them. Each Husain painting whispered tales of unparalleled talent, a relentless spirit of innovation, and an unwavering devotion to the unfettered expression of art. His legacy, symbolizing a chariot of the spirit of Indian identity. He wasn't afraid to reach back into tradition, pulling its essence forward to meet the contemporary world in a dazzling confluence. Yet, his gaze was never solely turned inward. Husain held a mirror to society, reflecting its complexities and challenges with unflinching honesty. A pioneer, indeed, for he didn't just paint; he celebrated, he merged, and he challenged, leaving the art world forever marked by his commendable artistry.
Famous Paintings And Artwork Series of MF Husain
From cinema hoardings in Mumbai to museum walls across the world, Husain's imagery has become shorthand for modern Indian art. His best-known subjects – horses, Mother Teresa, epic heroes, and everyday people – return again and again with fresh energy.
1) The Horse Series: Symbol of Freedom and Spirit
Horses thunder through his career from the 1950s onward. In canvas after canvas, they stand in for speed, freedom, and a raw, unbroken life-force. A single painting of mf husain with a rearing horse can transform a room, bringing in that sense of motion even when the space is still. For many viewers, the famous painting of MF Hussain is a horse and also the clearest expression of an mf husain artwork with bold line and saturated colour.
2) The Mother Teresa and Spiritual Series
When artist mf hussain turned to Mother Teresa, his line became gentler but no less sure. He often removed her facial features, allowing the sari, the curve of a hand, or the tilt of a head to carry feeling. For collectors who want a quieter, contemplative presence, this is often the most moving art of mf hussain to live with.
3) Mahabharata, History, and Thematic Series
His Mahabharata and Ramayana works pull ancient narratives into the modern age: fragmented battlefields, divided families, gods and mortals sharing the same charged space. British Raj paintings turn satire and symbolism into commentary on power, while projects like Theorama and the Indian Civilization series stretch across multiple panels. Many artist mf hussain paintings from these cycles read like visual epics rather than single scenes.
Behind these series is the restless mind of maqbool fida husain, constantly shifting between cinema, poetry, memory, and myth. It is this crossing of worlds that made mf husain artist not just a national figure, but a global modernist whose work still feels surprisingly current.
Price of MF Hussain Paintings
1) Historic Auction Records and Market Ranges
In the last decade, major auction houses in New York, London, and Mumbai have repeatedly pushed mf hussain painting price into multi-crore territory, especially for large, early canvases from the 1950s–1970s. Landmark works with strong provenance – museum shows, important collections, or publication history – sit at the very top of the market and rarely reappear once acquired.
Broadly, the cost of mf hussain paintings today falls into three bands: museum-level early works often in the ₹10–35 crore range, strong mid-period canvases around ₹2–10 crore, and late originals or smaller studies from roughly ₹40 lakh–8 crore depending on subject and scale.
2) Serigraphs and Limited Editions
For many buyers, serigraphs and limited-edition prints are the most practical way to live with an authentic Husain while originals sit in museums or private collections. Editioned works based on famous paintings of mf husain subjects – horses, Mother Teresa, Mahabharata scenes – typically range from about ₹70,000 to ₹2.5 lakh depending on size, edition, and condition. Compared to the maqbool fida husain painting price for an important canvas, these limited edition works offer a small but meaningful fraction of that value, while still being hand-signed and carefully produced under Husain's guidance.
As demand has grown, especially among younger collectors, mf hussain paintings for sale at reputable galleries and auction houses have shown steady appreciation. Serious buyers track series, condition, and provenance rather than headline numbers alone; for them, maqbool fida husain painting price is one data point in a longer story of rarity and relevance.
How to Choose the Right MF Husain Artwork
1) Subject, Energy, and Personal Connection
The place to begin is not the market, but what moves you. If you're drawn to velocity and power, the MF Husain's horse paintings may feel like a natural fit. If service, compassion, or spiritual enquiry speak more strongly, Mother Teresa painting by Husain or his Theorama series might be right. Narrative-driven collectors often look first to Mahabharata or British Raj paintings. Over time, many realise that a single painting of maqbool fida husain can mirror a personal story, a family history, or a value they want their space to quietly communicate.
2) Scale, Space, and Atmosphere
Large canvases demand room to breathe, while mid-scale works suit studies, executive offices, and dining areas. Serigraphs and smaller originals sit comfortably in more intimate zones or as part of a salon wall; even modestly sized mf husain paintings can feel monumental if the composition is dense and high-contrast.
3) Budget and Collecting Strategy
Because the range is wide, it helps to be clear about where you want to play. Some collectors focus on one strong original and build slowly around it; others prefer a thoughtful group of prints across themes and periods. For a considered first step, prints and serigraphs anchored in a major motif – a horse, a saint, an epic figure – can be an intelligent way to enter the market. For many new buyers, the first serious step is simply to buy mf hussain painting with intention rather than impulse.
Authenticity & Certification Process
Every MF Husain artwork offered on ArtFlute goes through a careful verification process so collectors know they're acquiring genuine pieces, not copies or reprints.
1) Hand-Signed Details:
Most Husain serigraphs include his pencil signature along the lower margin — a hallmark many enthusiasts look for when collecting artist mf hussain paintings in print form.
2) Edition Markings:
Authentic editions carry hand-written numbers such as "82/150." These markings confirm the legitimacy and scarcity of the work, a key factor when evaluating mf hussain artist prints.
3) Certificate of Authenticity:
Each serigraph comes with a COA listing the title, year, medium, edition size, and provenance, giving collectors complete clarity before they buy mf hussain painting.
4) What to Avoid:
Printed signatures, unclear paperwork, poor-quality impressions, or prices far below market norms are immediate red flags when browsing mf hussain paintings for sale.
If you're looking to buy indian paintings, our larger collection of rising contemporary artists might be a better choice.
FAQs About MF Husain Paintings
1. What styles did M.F. Husain use in his work?
Across decades, maqbool fida husain moved between figuration and abstraction without ever losing his unmistakable hand: swift, calligraphic line; bold blocks of colour; and a willingness to fracture space in order to tell more than one story at once. Even when influenced by European modernism, he stayed rooted in local myth, cinema, and street life – the everyday textures that give mf husain its particular charge.
2. How much does a Hussain painting cost?
Museum-level originals can reach eight-figure rupee prices and beyond, while more modest originals, studies, and drawings sit in the mid- to high-lakh range and signed serigraphs usually occupy the lower lakhs. Factors such as mf hussain painting price at recent auctions, subject, date, and condition all play a role in setting expectations, as does the broader cost of mf hussain paintings across comparable sales.
3. What are some famous themes in M.F. Husain's artwork?
Horses, goddesses, epic heroes, Mother Teresa, rural processions, urban crowds – these are the images most people associate with mf hussain artist and his generation. Within that, certain compositions have become especially sought after; for some collectors, the best painting of mf hussain is whichever work first made them stop and look twice.
4. What makes M.F. Husain's paintings unique?
Husain's modified Cubist language blends modernist structure with deeply Indian storytelling, drawing from miniature painting, mythology, cinema billboards, and urban life. What sets him apart is the fusion: centuries-old narratives carried through a contemporary hand, executed with the confidence of someone who painted quickly, fearlessly, and with instinctive clarity.
5. What is MF Husain famous for?
Husain is celebrated for his narrative canvases that reinterpret India's histories and icons—Gandhi, Mother Teresa, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the British Raj, and everyday life across cities and villages. His bold horse motifs and portraits of Madhuri Dixit are also cult favourites.
His market legacy is equally established: works like Voices have crossed multi-million-dollar sales, cementing his position as one of modern India's most globally recognised artists.
6. How many paintings did MF Husain make?
Husain's output is legendary. Estimates range widely from 30,000 at the most conservative, and up to 40,000–60,000 artworks across painting, printmaking, drawing, writing, and filmmaking.
For collectors, this vast production reflects a life fully committed to making, experimenting, and chronicling India through every medium available to him.