Selected Writings and Letters from the Estate of Francis Newton Souza(b.1924 d.2002)

Francis Newton Souza (b.1924 d.2002)

Selected Writings and Letters from the Artist's Estate

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The following account of Souza's first exhibition in Bombay was written by E. Mogul a lifelong friend of Souza's from his art school days. The account is undated but based on a reference about Souza's marriage to Maria Figueiredo, which he left in 1954, it is likely the piece was written after this date. The text is reproduced as it was written, with only minor edits in spelling and punctuation for clarity.

First exhibition of Francis Newston Souza, as rememberd by E. MOGUL

Charles Gerald, a mediocre artist, an incompetent administrator and director of Sir J.J. School of Art, Bombay, rusticated a number of students because he and his wife Doris were in conflict with them. Among these art students was Francis Newton Souza.

When Francis received a letter from the art school informing him that he was rusticated, he put it in his pocket and devoted himself fanatically to painting. While discussing what would be the best answer to Mr. Gerald's act, I suggested that he should hire the exhibition salon of the Bombay Art Society, at the time situated at Rampart Row behind the Prince of Wales Museum, to exhibit his pictures. This I thought would permit the public to judge for themselves what Souza was capable of.

Having reserved the gallery, I requested Rudolf von Leyden, art critic of the Times of India, to perform the opening ceremony of Souza's exhibition, which he accepted. On the other hand, Souza approached Dr. Alban D'Souza, who was at that time the mayor of Bombay, to grace the occasion. The mayor agreed without much difficulty; both Souza and Dr. D'Souza were from Goa.

The time came for hanging the pictures, which did not present any major problem. After a few changes all the paintings were hung to the satisfaction of the artist. At this point Souza left the gallery leaving me behind and promising to return an hour before the opening ceremony. I do not remember exactly the time fixed for the opening speech. About half an hour before the time the guests started tcoming in but Souza was not there. Just before the time fixed, Leyden came in. In absence of the artist I welcomed him. "Where is Souza?" was the first question of Rudolf von Leyden. "He is not here. He is expected any time now. He will be here," I answered. A little later the mayor came in and asked for Souza. "Souza is not here," I replied. "He must be on his way," I added.

Both the mayor and Leyden showed distinct signs of discontent. Having waited for more than half an hour Rudolf threatened to go away. In order to save the situation I suggested to Leyden to deliver his speech and declare the exhibition open. Leyden refused to do it in absence of the artist. Happily while were were discussing, all of a sudden, Souza appeared. Immediately the tension dropped, Leyden inaugurated the exhibition with a flattering speech for the artist, it was a success.

Souza had prepared a few posters for his publicity. He stuck one poster on the fence near the main entrance of the Art School. Charles Gerrald, the director of the school, saw it, called two janitors, ordered them to bring water and rags, and personally supervised the removal of the poster while students looked on with amusement. After dusk, Souza replaced the poster with a new one in the same place. The next morning we saw Gerald and the janitors at work on the second poster. This comic procedure continued for the duration of the show, to the pleasure and amusement of the entire artistic community of Bombay.

The exhibition of Souza was a success from all points of view. He sold almost all of the pictures in his show. One of his pictures was bought for the Baroda Museum by Dr. Herman Goetz, director of the museum at that time. Among other buyers was Miss Maria Figueiredo who shortly after became Souza's first wife. As two persons were interested in the same picture chosen by Maria [Ave Maria,1942, gouache on paper, collection of Shelley Souza] I suggested that the artist make a copy to satisfy both customers, in the presence of Maria. I thought that copies made by an artist of his own work are originals in so many examples. However Miss Figueiredo took it very badly, evoked my "guts" and was furious. ... Souza had good critics in the newspapers, among which an article written by Rudolf von Leyden in the Times of India was the most favourable. The exhibition definitely established Souza as one of the leading artists of his generation and thus attained the aim we had fixed.