Under a Banyan Tree Painting

MICHEL TESTARD A wandering painter of India and the world Michel Testard’s work is a visual journey through a life of extensive travel, deep cultural engagement, and an artistic family heritage. Born in Tokyo in 1950 to a lineage of French artists, Testard’s early years between Japan, Vietnam, and France were marked by a fascination with the world, captured in childhood sketches of ships, animals, and daily life. This eclectic upbringing laid the foundation for his richly varied artistic practice. One of Testard’s recurring themes is interiors, particularly his “room with a view” series inspired by visits to old Portuguese mansions in Goa. These works, created during COVID lockdowns, merge realism with a dreamlike quality, where colonial interiors frame lush, tropical vistas. Echoing Matisse’s ideal of windows as portals, Testard’s Goan interiors reflect his experience as both an insider and outsider, symbolizing freedom and connection to nature. Testard’s landscapes reflect his travels across India, Iceland, Antarctica, and beyond. His Indian scenes, filled with vibrant colors and mythical elements, blend reality and fantasy, drawing influence from Gauguin and le Douanier Rousseau. His Icelandic landscapes, by contrast, use a restrained palette to evoke the sublime vastness of the Nordic wilderness, recalling the Romantic tradition of Caspar Friedrich. Goa holds a special place in Testard’s work as a bridge between his Western influences and immersion in Indian culture. His series captures the fusion of Portuguese and Indian aesthetics, creating a cultural tapestry that reflects Testard’s deep engagement with the region. Goa becomes a microcosm of his broader artistic project—a place where East meets West, history meets fantasy, and place merges with personal reflection. The people of India are central to Testard’s art. His portraits of villagers, Brahmins, and everyday figures, such as "Orissa, Brahmin after a puja," reveal an empathetic approach, capturing their dignity and spirituality. His “Vaishnavi Sadhu” series portrays spiritual figures with intense, dark backgrounds, showing Testard’s nuanced understanding of India’s spiritual life. Music, especially Indian classical music, is another thematic layer. Inspired by Satyajit Ray’s Jalsaghar (The Music Room), Testard created a series dedicated to the sitar and the reverence for music in India.