LIFESTYLE
Artist Maite Delteil’s rare graphite drawings are on display for the first time at a city gallery
French-born artist Maite Delteil is known for her colourful picturesque oil paintings that capture the beauty of nature in all its vibrant glory. However, in an ongoing exhibition at Colaba-based gallery Art Musings, rare graphite drawings that the 85-year-old had created over four decades ago are on display for the first time. The show, which is titled The Secret Sea, Drawings from the ’70s, also depicts a series of drawings that she had executed for a book Louis XIII enfant published in the early ’80s. Staying true to her style, all these black-and-white sketches showcase Maite’s attention to detail and how she strikes a balance between nature and artifice. The drawings about Louis XIII not only give viewers a sneak peek of the French king’s childhood but also scenes from West European country’s history.
Maite, who is married to esteemed Indian artist Sakti Burman, says she started working on these graphite drawings accidentally in an attempt to keep herself pre-occupied. She elaborates, “In the ’70s, I was quite busy with my family life as my daughter, Maya, was born in 1971. So, it was difficult for me to concentrate on oil painting. Instead, I found it more beneficial to express myself through small works that didn’t take up so much of my time. I didn’t have to wash any brushes or open/close any tubes of colours after working.”
Today, looking at these creations after such a long time has given new insights to Maite, who lives and works in Paris and New Delhi. She elaborates, “I did these drawings silently and never exhibited them. A few of my friends saw them and bought them. I enjoyed working like this where I focussed on the small details. It was a nice feeling when I was offered to show them in Mumbai. These sketches are still alive in my memory, so I wasn’t surprised to look at them again. However, now, I see them admirably as I’ll no longer be able to do such technically good work due to my eyes. Back in those days, as a myopic person, my short-sightedness permitted me to do this kind of precise work.”
As for the illustrations for Louis XIII Enfant, she states that as it was a new subject and had a lot of references to history, she had to do ample research.
Hailing from Fumel, south-western France, Maite has grown up in the lap of nature. No wonder, the octogenarian, who has exhibited in Europe, the USA, Japan, and India, is deeply influenced by the flora and fauna, which
feature prominently in almost all her paintings. Quiz her about this preoccupation and she says, “Flowers, trees, birds, in short, nature has always been present in my work. Born in the colourful and lush countryside of France, I have surely missed all my life the presence of this familiar environment. Perhaps I’m trying to recollect it. Who knows! But it is neither a wish from my part neither a manifestation for nature even if I feel concerned by the subject.”
Maite Delteil, The Secret Sea, Drawings from the 70s is on at Art Musings, Colaba from 11 am-7 pm till December 29.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral