Jamil Naqsh (Pakistani, 1939-2019) Untitled (Pigeons)Jamil Naqsh (Pakistani, 1939-2019)Untitled (Pigeons) signed and dated Jamil Naqsh '63 lower centreoil on canvas, framed63 x 81.2cm (24 13/16 x 31 15/16in).ProvenanceAcquired by Mr Arif Ali Khan Abbasi from the artist; Mr Arif Ali Khan was the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Chairman of Pakistan International Airline;Acquired by the vendor from the above via Chawkandi Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.AN IMPORTANT EARLY WORK DEPICTING PIGEONSThis work dating from 1963 is one of the earliest depictions of the subject in Naqsh's works. His very first painting on the subject from 1961 featured five birds, two in pairs and one by itself, which is similar compositionally to this work. Naqsh's pigeons are filled with meaning. They represent domestic harmony drawn from memories of his childhood in Kairana, India, where birds used to frequent his childhood home. They would fly in and out through open windows, strut around the courtyard and peck at the grains left for them. They also signify romantic love and are seen as messengers.Pigeons would become one of the key motifs that Naqsh would come to be known for, and one that he would depict repeatedly over the next 40 years. Unsurprisingly, this work was part of the first solo exhibition held for Naqsh in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1970 at Ali Imam's Indus Art Gallery. Whilst his works from the 1970s onwards would show the influence of cubism and abstraction, his early works were devoid of their impact. Instead, works such as the one in the present lot, from the 1960s illustrate his ability to use form, colour, texture and composition, and show the influence of miniature painting, which he studied. To see similar works from the period that were exhibited at Naqsh's Retrospective at Mohatta Palace, see, figures 18, 31 and 32 on pg.26, 37 and 38 respectively in Jamil Naqsh: A Retrospective.