Akbar Padamsee (1928–2020) was a leading Indian modern artist and a pioneer of modern Indian painting, alongside Raza, Souza, and M.F. Husain. Born in Mumbai, he studied at Sir J.J. School of Art and became associated with the Progressive Artists’ Group formed in 1947. He moved to Paris in 1951, where he worked with international artists and developed his unique style. Padamsee explored various mediums, including oil painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, film, and computer graphics.

His abstract works, including “Metascapes” and “Mirror Images,” explored colour, form, and perception. His paintings gained global recognition, with Reclining Nude achieving a record auction price. He received prestigious honours such as the Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship, Kalidas Samman, and Padma Bhushan. Padamsee’s innovative techniques and artistic vision made a lasting impact on contemporary Indian art.