Murtoza Bashir

Murtaja Baseer (17 August 193215 August 2020) was a Bangladeshi painter and artist known for his abstract realism themed works. He was also a poet, author, researcher, numismatist, and filmmaker. Baseer was awarded the Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh's second highest civilian honor, in 1980, and the Independence Award, Bangladesh's highest state award, in 2019.

Early life and education Baseer was born to Muhammad Shahidullah and Marguba Khatun. His father, Shahidullah was a scholar and a linguist.

Baseer enrolled in Dacca Art College (now the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka) in 1949. After graduating in 1954, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence from 1956 to 1958. He also studied mosaic and etching at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris from 1971 to 1973.

Career

Baseer joined University of Chittagong as an assistant professor of fine arts, upon his return from France in 1973, and served until his retirement, as a professor of fine arts, in 1998.

Paintings As an acclaimed painter, Baseer's working style was said to have evolved from realism and semi-realism in his early days to abstract realism. His paintings were considered a critical commentary on society. His style of using detailed lines and balanced colors have been considered a critical commentary on society. His portrayal of Bangladeshi women in his paintings is believed to reflect their individuality and strong personality. His paintings have been exhibited in Bangladesh, Pakistan, America, Europe, and the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Death Baseer died from an infection with COVID-19 in Dhaka on 15 August 2020, at the age of 87, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, two days before his 88th birthday. He had sought treatment at Evercare Hospital. After Baseer died, he was interred at Banani graveyard, next to his wife, Amina Baseer.

Awards Prix National, Festival of Paintings, Cagnes-sur Mer, France (1973) Academy Award by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (1975) Best Cover Design, National Book Centre, Dhaka (1976) Ekushey Padak (1980) Sultan Padak, Narail (2003) Star Lifetime Award (2016) Independence Day Award (2019)