100^th Birth Anniversary of George Keyt
[17 Apr 2001]

PILGRIMS, 
Pastel and Water Color on Paper,1958.

Today marks the 100^th birth anniversary of one of Sri Lanka's most distinguished and renowned painters, George Keyt. Described by one Indian Art Critic as "one of the few giants of the New asia," Keyt lived to be ninety-two.

His paintings are found in various museums and galleries and with private collectors around the world. George Keyt’s paintings have been exhibited in Indian, British, European and American art galleries.

In 1968, The University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters for his contribution to cultural history.

He was acclaimed for his illustrations in English rendered to the famous 13^th century Sanskrit poem Gita Govinda by Jayadeva.  His innovative presentations depicting episodes of Buddhist Jataka Stories adorn the inner walls of the circumambulatory shrine room of Gothami Vihare in Colombo.

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