Fascinating Orientalist Oil on Canvas: "Eat to Live" (1926) A unique opportunity to acquire a significant piece of Orientalist art dating back to the period of the British Raj in India. This intimate and evocative oil on canvas, entitled "Eat to Live," was painted and signed in 1926. Details of the Artwork Title: "Eat to Live" Artist: Signature to be deciphered (signed lower right, dated "1926"). Technique: Oil on canvas Date: 1926 Style: Orientalist, Genre scenes Provenance: Painted in India (as indicated by a label on the back), possibly in Lahore (the label on the back bears an address in Anarkali, Lahore). Subject and Composition The painting captures a moment of daily life with touching intimacy. It depicts a young boy sitting squatting, wrapped in draping, focusing on the food he holds in his hands. His absorbed gaze suggests a deep appreciation for the meal, in line with the title of the work. Atmosphere: The warm, earthy tones (browns, ochre, and beige) evoke the outside environment of a traditional home. Details: The use of light and shadow creates a remarkable sense of depth and realism. To the right of the boy, a brass or copper kettle is visible on a small heat source, and various utensils are scattered on the terracotta floor. Expressiveness: The portrait of the young boy is rendered with great sensitivity, lending dignity and seriousness to the scene. Historical Value and Documentation The back of the canvas features several labels attesting to its authenticity and history, an element of great interest to collectors: Author's Label: A signed typewritten note reads: "I affirm that this picture is my own bona-fide original work." Label with Details: A handwritten label reads: Title of Picture: "Eat to live" Painted in: India, Oil Colour Name and address of Artist: signature to be decipher Artist, Gurdial das Photographer, Ana Kali Lahore. (This suggests a strong connection with Lahore, now in Pakistan). Conservation Status The work is in excellent condition given its age, with the canvas well stretched and the colors vivid. It is framed in a dark carved wood frame with gilded profiles, which enhances its preciousness. This painting is not only a beautiful work of art but also a significant historical testimony to early 20th-century Indian genre art. Ideal for collectors of oriental art, vintage Indian painting, and works with clear and fascinating documentation. The dimensions are: 64 x 76 cm including the frame, 44 x 55 cm the canvas