Daily Times

Legendary artist Jamil Naqsh, the modern master, passed away on Thursday in London after suffering from pneumonia.

He was 80 years old.

“It is with a heavy heart, that we are announcing the passing away of Jamil Naqsh. He had been fighting pneumonia since May 7, 2019 at the St Mary’s Hospital in the United Kingdom. We request for you to pray for his soul along with respecting the privacy of the family,” Jamil Naqsh Museum Director Sobia Naqsh said in a statement.

A huge loss to the art world, Jamil Naqsh was most known for painting the female form juxtaposed with pigeons and horses.

In a statement, his partner and muse Najmi Sura, stated, “After painting over six decades, Jamil finally puts his brush down and leaves his palette with all the colours he knew.”

Jamil was born in 1939 in Uttar Pradesh, India and came to Pakistan at the age of nine. He is believed to have dropped out of National College of Art because he belief art could not be bound my academic restrictions. He trained under Ustad Muhammad Sharif, a renowned miniaturist.

In 2003, a retrospective of his work was held at the Mohatta Palace Museum in Karachi, a rare honour for a living artist.

A huge loss to the art world, Jamil Naqsh was most known for painting the female form juxtaposed with pigeons and horses

In 2009, Jamil was awarded the Sitara-e Imtiaz (Star of Excellence).

In 2003, a retrospective exhibition of Jamil’s work was held at the Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi two publications were produced, one containing the work in calligraphy he titled, Modern Manuscripts.

He was settled in London for the past 10 years. His work is very idealised and sensual.