Unicorn on a Wall and Houses

This watercolour depicts a singular house, in front of which stands a white unicorn. The detailing on certain sections of the house such as the turn of the staircase and the outer brick-wall are inspirations derived from extremely detailed Indian miniature paintings. There are two trees on either side of the building. However, the unicorn stands out because of the contrasting white against the brown-red background of the house.

Badri Narayan was entirely self-taught and his art betrays a deeply introspective gaze. All of his work was in some way or the other an exploration of the self. He was inspired by various movements and art forms, particularly traditional miniatures, narrative paintings and popular Indian iconography. For his own work, this artist from Andhra Pradesh preferred a certain flat two-dimensionality that nevertheless teemed with life.