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28
29
Newton and Maria,
1947
Image © The Estate of Francis Newton Souza
has his own technique and the only ‘ism’ that the members have in common is their
individualism
’.
29
It is at this time that Newton now uses ‘Souza’ as his surname,
having previously opted for ‘Francis Newton’ not wishing to be mixed up with
the mathematician.
Rudolph von Leyden writes in
The Times of India
of the Souza works on
display that:
“
With Souza things are not so simple. He too strives for formal values, but his
subject matter occupies a much larger place in his imaginations. With the others
you do not begin to think what the subject means to you; in Souza’s paintings the
subject impresses you most strongly. His preference for the elementary colours gives
his work elementary, almost aboriginal, qualities, haunting in their effect. In none of
the other works is so much passion bridled by so much intellectual effort. Some of the
smaller paintings, displayed in a portfolio, are surprisingly gay and of easy charm…
Those who go to this exhibition to look for pretty pictures will be on the whole
disappointed. Those, who want painting to be the expression of the deeper emotions
and strivings of generation, will be well satisfied with the progressive offerings of
these artists
”
30
Another newspaper article also pinpoints Souza’s works for praise:
‘
His centre of attraction now seems to have shifted from colour and pattern to
acquiring a more profound expression of life through plastics forms. His ‘Lovers’ is
his most outstanding exhibit, which though not free from unassimilated tendencies,
is attractive because of its sound treatment of form and composition
.’
31
M. F Husain, Khajuraho series,
1954
Ink on paper,
67
x
35
cm
Image © Pundoles