Portrait of M. F. Husain (1915 – 2011)

Artist Homi Bhabha (1909 – 1966)

dated 22-01-1961, Lithograph on paper
16.9 x 12.6 in. (42.9 x 32 cm.)

Dr. Homi Bhabha, the visionary physicist and cultural patron, shared a deep admiration for the arts, particularly modern Indian painting. Among his lesser-known yet significant contributions are a drawing and lithographic portrait of M.F. Husain, capturing not only the likeness but also the spirit of the artist. Created during a time when both men were actively shaping India’s postindependence cultural landscape—one through science, the other through art—this portrait stands as a rare convergence of two intellectual titans.

Rendered with a sensitive hand and sharp observation, the portrait reflects Dr. Bhabha’s ability to see beyond the surface. Husain is not merely depicted as a painter, but as a restless thinker—his energy, spontaneity, and iconic presence conveyed through expressive linework and tonal precision. The lithograph, in particular, offers a compelling contrast to Husain’s own flamboyant, colorful canvases. However here, he is seen through the eyes of another creative mind, distilled into quiet intensity.

This work is more than a portrait; it is a testament to mutual respect between two modern Indian pioneers. Dr. Bhabha’s portrayal adds an intimate, almost poetic layer to our understanding of Husain— an artist often seen in the public eye, but here, momentarily still and introspective.