How does M. F. Husain use the figure of Mother Teresa in the painting titled "Mother Teresa"?
1) Realistically portraying her features
2) As a faceless, recurring figure
3) Symbolizing political ideals
4) Depicting her in various landscapes
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option 2 - As a faceless, recurring figure
Mother Teresa- This painting by M. F. Husain of the saintly figure, Mother Teresa, belongs to the 1980s. It is painted in a style typically of this artist, who created a new language of modern Indian art. The figure of the faceless Mother appears several times, each time holding a baby with a lot of attention given to the hand. The central figure of the seated Mother has a grown up man lying on her lap horizontally. This speaks of the artist’s familiarity with European art, especially, the famous sculpture of Italian Renaissance master, Michelangelo’s Pieta. On the other hand, the flat shapes used to depict the scene are modern. They appear like a collage of paper cutouts. The artist is not interested in showing us the life of Mother Teresa realistically but uses bare suggestions. We, as viewers, have to follow the clues left by the artist to make sense of the story. It is the kneeling figure of the woman on one side that gives us a hint that the story about healing and nursing the helpless is unfolding in India.