Vasudeo Gaitonde (1924-2001) was regarded as one of India's foremost abstract painters. He is one of the most valuable modern Indian artists at auction, a reclusive philosopher who was revered as a master and as a man of uncompromising integrity of spirit and purpose. He was a man of few words and an avid admirer of Indian and Western classical music, poetry, cinema, literature and theater who dedicated his life to painting. Born in Goa, learnt in JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, He finally moved to Delhi. Impressed by his work, Gaitonde was invited to join the Progressive Artists Group of Bombay formed in 1947 by artists like F. N. Souza and S. H. Raza and M. F. Husain. In 1956, he participated in the Indian art exhibition, which was held in Eastern European countries. Also participated in other group exhibitions held at the Graham Art Gallery, New York, in 1959 and 1963. Gaitonde's abstract works are produced in many Indian and overseas collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 1957, he was awarded the first prize at the Young Asian Artists Exhibition, Tokyo and the Rockefeller Fellowship followed in 1964. In 1971, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.