ORIGINAL ART BY S.H. RAZA: PAINTINGS SOLD

A prolific Indian artist and printmaker, Sayed Haider “S. H.” Raza was a renowned modern Indian artist of the 20th Century. He was a founding member of the Progressive Artists Group in 1948 along with M. F. Husain, K. H. Ara and F. N. Souza. Shortly after in 1950, he won a French government scholarship to study at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and he continued to live in France for most of his life while maintaining close ties with India.

S.H. Raza is known for his original abstract paintings that reference Indian icons and philosophy. His style evolved throughout his life, beginning with rigid representations of French towns in the early 1950s and later focusing on pure geometric shapes in the 1970s. He slowly became more interested in conveying the metaphorical landscape of the human mind, rather than the idyllic countryside.

In an effort to translate emotion and thought into image, art by S. H. Raza often depicted the concentric circle, or ‘Bindu.’ Sacred in its symbolism, the Bindu represents the seed’s potential for life. It was also personally important to him as a reminder of his heritage. He said, ‘‘For me, Bindu is a point where I focus my energy and my mind. It has become like the Swadharm in the Bhagavad Gita (the notion of one’s truth). Focusing means fixing one’s energy on one thing and not ten things, since the latter is a distraction of energy.”

S.H. Raza received many prestigious awards including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He was also conferred with the highest French civilian honor, the Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honor), in 2015. He passed away in New Delhi in 2016.

You are welcome to buy artist S.H. Raza’s prints online or view them at our gallery in Palo Alto (San Francisco Bay Area). All serigraphs are signed by the artist.

A step-by-step demonstration of the serigraphic printing process.

Can you help source original artwork by S.H. Raza?

Yes, in addition to our collection of serigraphs, we do sell original paintings by S.H. Raza. We frequently collaborate with private collectors, art dealers and partner galleries to source authentic originals by modern artists on request.

What is a serigraph?

Serigraphs are a type of high quality, limited edition screen print made on high quality paper in collaboration with the artist. Each print is numbered and signed by the artist.

What is the serigraphic printing process?

Producing serigraphs is a meticulous, completely manual process. Using the original artwork as the master guide, a different stencil is created for each color that will compose the image. Then, the ink is pushed through the corresponding stencil onto the paper and then laid flat on a drying rack. This step is repeated multiple times, using a separate stencil for each color. A single serigraphic print can have as many as 25 colors or more.

What makes a print more valuable?

The value of a serigraph is determined by the artist’s notability, the edition size and the presence of a signature. A serigraph’s most important feature is the artist’s signature, which confirms its authenticity as a genuine artwork.

Are fine art prints a good investment?

Yes, the value of a serigraph can keep increasing with time, depending on the artist’s historical importance and the specific serigraph.

Are the serigraphs signed?

Each print has been hand-signed by the artist and also comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Is shipping available worldwide?

Yes, we offer both domestic and international shipping, and all fees are calculated upon purchase and included on your invoice. We frequently ship throughout the US as well as to Europe, Africa and Asia.

How are the serigraphs shipped?

Prints are packed by professionals and shipped rolled in a tube. Each shipment is covered by transit insurance. All fees are on actuals.

Are the artworks framed?

No, neither the paintings nor serigraphs are sold framed. While it is not necessary to frame a canvas, it can be a stylistic choice and help integrate the painting with the existing decor. Meanwhile, works on paper must always be framed to properly protect them from warping and discoloration. You can read more advice about framing paintings and framing fine art prints on our blog.

How should the artwork be taken care of?

As a resource for clients, we have written a guide on the best art care tips for works on paper.