Untitled

Artist: Krishen Khanna
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Size: 66.2 × 48 inches

This striking portrait-style composition by Krishen Khanna captures a moment both intimate and emblematic, rendered in his signature bold yet simplified style. Executed in mixed media on canvas, the work focuses on a single figure shown in profile, evoking a sense of narrative and quiet dignity. The visual language, composed of vibrant colors, strong outlines, and a deliberately stylized treatment of form, reflects Khanna’s distinctive approach to figuration.

The subject is dressed in a red uniform-like outfit, the kind often associated with military or ceremonial bands. A tall red hat or cap, almost exaggerated in its form, crowns the figure’s head, giving a sense of stature and role. The uniform features deep blue horizontal bands across the chest and lower torso, with a green armband prominently displayed on the upper arm, details that subtly suggest hierarchy, purpose, and identity within an organized structure. These elements are not meticulously realistic but are essential in conveying the symbolic nature of the uniform and the figure's societal role. The figure is depicted playing a brass instrument, most likely a trumpet or horn, painted in golden-yellow hues that stand out against the otherwise restrained palette. The act of playing the instrument introduces a performative quality, suggesting themes of music, rhythm, and collective experience, a recurring motif in Khanna’s body of work, particularly his depictions of musicians and bandwallahs.

The face, shown in profile, is rendered with muted brown and tan tones, its expression understated, allowing the uniform and gesture to carry the emotional weight of the image. The background, a soft grayish-blue wash, keeps the focus squarely on the figure while adding an atmospheric calmness that reinforces the painting’s introspective mood. The composition balances formal clarity with expressive simplicity, allowing the viewer to contemplate both the individual and the collective, a theme that has long preoccupied the artist. Through minimal yet evocative detail, Krishen Khanna captures a portrait that is as much about identity and presence as it is about ritual, music, and memory, demonstrating once again his mastery in transforming everyday subjects into timeless human narratives.