Portrait of Lal Bahadur Shastri 

M.F. Husain created this portrait of Lal Bahadur Shastri using what looks like ink on paper. Husain, one of India’s most celebrated artists, often found ways to connect his art to his identity and cultural background. This piece captures Shastri, the former Prime Minister of India, in a moment of thoughtful concentration as he appears to be writing. The quick, bold strokes of ink give the portrait a sense of immediacy. Shastri, a key figure in India's post-independence era, led the country through significant times of conflict and change. His humble background and commitment to social justice resonated deeply with the Indian populace. Consider how Husain's artistic choices—the stark contrast and the focus on Shastri’s contemplative posture—convey a sense of the leader's character. What might Husain, as a contemporary Indian artist, be saying about leadership, legacy, and the individual within the political sphere? This portrait is not just a likeness; it’s an emotional reflection on a leader and the values he embodied.