[GANDHI MAHATMA]: (1869-1948) Indian political and spiritual leader during the Indian ...

[GANDHI MAHATMA]: (1869-1948) Indian political and spiritual leader during the Indian independence movement. A very fine vintage unsigned 7.75 x 10.75 photograph of Gandhi, the original silver gelatin print (image size 6.5 x 8.25", approximately 16.5 x 21 cm, with crenellated edges) depicting Gandhi seated in a full-length pose, wearing his circular spectacles and white loin-cloth, at Birla House in New Delhi (where Gandhi would later spend the final 144 days of his life) in August 1942. Gandhi, with his head slightly lowered, appears both concentrated and serene, as he writes, using a fountain pen, on the paper which rests before him on his knees. Photograph by Kanu Gandhi and bearing his small printed label, in Hindi, to the lower right of the mount. An exceptional and highly iconic image of Gandhi. A couple of light, minor creases to the left corner of the photographer´s mount, VG

Kanu Gandhi (1917-1986) Indian photographer, a grandnephew of Mahatma Gandhi who lived with him in several of his ashrams and was a member of his personal staff. Gandhi allowed Kanu to photograph him on three conditions: that he use no flash, that he never be asked to pose, and that his photography would not be funded by the Ashram.

Kanu Gandhi's photographs remained only for private use in very limited editions until they were acquired by Peter Ruhe, who created the Gandhi Information Centre, wrote his biography and organised several very important exhibitions.

The present photograph of Gandhi, a highly symbolic image of the pacifist, was captured at Birla House, where Gandhi was a frequent guest of the owner, G. D. Birla. During his final stay, Gandhi was at Birla House from 9th September 1947 until his assassination in the grounds of the mansion on 30th January 1948.