Lot 33
B. VITHAL
B. India, 1935 – 1992
Ganesha
Signed “B. Vithal” Bronze sculpture
10 x 7 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Singapore
RM 18,000 – RM 30,000
Born in Maharashtra, India in 1935, B. Vithal was a master sculptor and painter who studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. With his learnings, his sculptural works became known for their monumentality, with the innate understanding of the human form being evident. At the early age of five, he started sketching Lord Ganesh and other deities in chalk on his slate. Coming from this inspiration, his works were inspired by Hindi mythology, philosophy and ancient Indian art. In the mature phase of his career, Vithal focused on sculptures because the process was a more tangible experience than painting.
This bronze sculpture is one of Ganesha, the Hindu god of beginnings who is highly recognisable with his elephant head and human body, representing the soul and the physical respectively. Ganesha’s big belly is thought to represent generosity and total acceptance, and he is known as the patron of writers, travellers, students and entrepreneurs, for whom he removes obstacles.