Artforms of  Pakistan Seated Nude in Blue, 1970 Shakir^cAli (Pakistani, 1916–1975) Oil on canvas; 35 x 54 in. Image courtesy of Shakir^cAli Museum, Lahore Shakir^cAli Museum Often considered the first important modern artist in Pakistan, Shakir^cAli adopted European avant-garde styles as vehicles for diverse subject matter. Even his calligraphy, an Eastern practice, is placed in the context of Western painting. However, he had access to and used many different resources, from the ancient Indian paintings in the Ajanta caves and religious art of the Jains to Chola bronzes and Mughal miniatures, in addition to paintings by Matisse and Picasso. Source:Modern Art in West and East Pakistan | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art