Jamil Naqsh, who carved a rare niche for himself in figurative art, is no more. He was 76. He passed away at St Mary’s Hospital in the United Kingdom where he had been taken on contracting pneumonia. One of the few Pakistani painters to enjoy instant recognition worldwide, he had been living the life of a recluse since 2012. Naqsh made a name for himself with iconic work, revolving mostly around the female form. The dominant impression in his paintings was one of dignity and grace. Some of his most celebrated paintings paired the female form with pigeons and doves, symbolic of love, peace, and gentleness. Another mesmerising series of painting was inspired by Italian sculptor Mario Marini. The series artistically captures the beauty of the horse and combines the elegance of the nude female with the sturdy grace of the equine figure. Long ago, in the 1960s, he would paint masterpieces with pigeons as the main subjects. These pigeons reflected his childhood memories. His nostalgia for his birthplace Kirana, India, inspired some of the signature elements of his art Naqsh was born in 1939. The family moved to Karachi during Partition. His life in Karachi was not a bed of roses. A tough life’s journey sharpened his observation. He would later study at the National College of Arts in Lahore and then train exclusively with Ustad Haji Sharif, the great miniaturist. He left NCA without completing his degree. Over the years, his instinct for design and his creativity resulted in many mesmerizing paintings. Art critics have always been at a loss for words to describe Naqsh’s work particularly the paintings that combine images of birds with the classic forms of women creating an incredible blending of movement and stillness. At his last show – The Bird of Time -in Lahore in 2012, visitors were rendered speechless as they marvelled at his collection reflecting the culture of Pakistan, connecting it with that of the entire Indian subcontinent and the Mughal empire. His work earned him critical acclaim all over the world. In 1989, he was awarded the Pride of Performance and in 2009 the Sitara-i-Imtaiz. In 2003, he had relocated with Najmi Sura from Karachi to London, England. Art lovers in Pakistan and elsewhere will miss Naqsh sahib. His work will continue to amaze the viewer with its virtuosity. Rest in peace, Naqsh sahib. *