Sayed Haider "S. H." Raza (1922 – 2016)

Sayed Haider also known as S. H. Raza was a very famous Indian painter and was living and working in France since 1950. He used to work on mostly abstracts in acrylics or oil paints. He was a Padma Vibhushan(2013) Padma Bhushan(2007) and a fellow of Lalit Kala Akademi(1981), Padamshree(1981).

On 10 June 2010, he became one of the priciest modern Indian artist when one of his work was sold for INR 16.42 Crore ($3,486,965). 

His painting works ranged from expressionistic landscapes to abstract ones. He loved working with watercolors and later went on to work with themes of landscapes of mind. He was also very much impressed with Ajanta cave paintings as well as Ellora cave paintings and used to visit the place frequently. He was also influenced by famous Indian artist's such as Amrita Sher-Gil.

He lived till 23 July 2016 and will always be remembered as a legend of Art and painting.

"My work is my own inner experience and involvement with the mysteries of nature and form which is expressed in colour, line, space and light".

- S. H. Raza