Impressions of Mewar

(1968 to 1970, 2001)

Fresh out of art school, loaded with art material, with enthusiasm to learn and a deep love for the outdoors, Rekha explored the region in and around Udaipur — the City of Lakes, riding a cycle! She also toured historic towns of Chittorgarh, Mandu and Bundi, in and around the Mewar region of Rajasthan, to paint her Impressions in transparent watercolors. These early paintings reflect the grandeur of medieval architecture of Rajasthan – old forts and palaces, temples, streets and gateways, step-wells and picturesque clusters of huts. The vibrant colors stand for the vitality and vigour that is Rajasthan. Breaking from convention, she rendered the skies dark to add depth to the compositions.

Painting of a rural street dominated by a cluster of small, multi-coloured huts, near Udaipur — Impressions of Mewar 01; Watercolour on Paper; 20"x13"; 1968

Expressive rendering of a cluster of pink and yellow huts, with strong black brush strokes — Impressions of Mewar 02; Watercolour on Paper; 19"x13"; 1968

Painting of a historical town in Rajasthan at sunset, in dominant orange and yellow hues — Impressions of Mewar 03; Watercolour on Paper; 19"x12"; 1970 (Sold)

Gateway to a stepwell with hindu architecture details, in yellow and orange hues of sun set — Impressions of Mewar 04; Watercolour on Paper; 13"x22"; 1970

Gateway of a town in Rajasthan, with details of Medieval period architecture — Impressions of Mewar 05; Watercolour on Paper; 19"x12"; 1970 (Sold)

Cluster of rural huts rendered with a strong wash effect depicting monsoon rains — Impressions of Mewar 06; Watercolour on Paper; 19"x12"; 1970 (Sold)

Wide landscape of Bundi fort on hills in Rajasthan, with the town below — Impressions of Mewar 07; Watercolour on Paper; 12"x17"; 1970

Historical buildings with a pond in the foreground, from a part of Chittorgarh fort, Rajasthan — Impressions of Mewar 08; Watercolour on Paper; 8"x9"; 1970

Composition of riuns in rural Rajasthan, including a temple, a cenotaph and an electric pole — Impressions of Mewar 09; Watercolour on Paper; 11"x8"; 1970

'Chota Talaab' in Bundi with a temple half-submerged in water, in dominant greens and blues — Impressions of Mewar 10; Watercolour on Paper; 15"x12"; 1970

Composition from Chittorgarh fort of a temple and a palace, and their reflection in the water below — Impressions of Mewar 11; Watercolour on Paper; 10"x14"; 1970

Composition of the palace of 'Baaz Bahadur' at Mandu in Rajasthan, surrounded with trees and gardens — Impressions of Mewar 12; Watercolour on Paper; 14"x9"; 1970

Four newer works in this series, featured below, were created in 2001. They reveal the progression in Rekha’s style towards abstraction.

Abstract painting showing reflection of the sun in water, in dominant orange and cyan colours — Impressions of Mewar, Abstract 01; Watercolour on Paper; 14"x11"; 2001 (Sold)

Abstract painting of the setting sun, with its reflection in the lake below, in yellows and reds — Impressions of Mewar, Abstract 02; Watercolour on Paper; 14"x11"; 2001 (Sold)

Abstract painting of reflection of the moon in a pond, with lotus flowers blooming alongside — Impressions of Mewar, Abstract 03; Watercolour on Paper; 14"x11"; 2001

Monochromacic painting of reflection of the moon in a lotus pond, rendered in shades of blue colour — Impressions of Mewar, Abstract 04; Watercolour on Paper; 14"x11"; 2001