MF Hussain’s painting sold for Rs 118 crore, became the most expensive modern Indian art; know what is special?

New Delhi. A masterpiece by famous Indian painter M. F. Hussain has created history in the auction. His painting sold for $ 13.8 million (about Rs 118 crore). This is the highest price ever received in a public auction for a modern Indian artwork. This auction of M. F. Hussain’s painting Untitled (Gram Yatra) took place at Christie’s in New York. After the auction, this painting was bought by an unknown institution.

The initial estimated price of this painting was $ 25 lakh to $ 35 lakh, but it sold for four times more than expected. Earlier, Hussain’s most expensive painting was Untitled (Reincarnation), which was auctioned at Sotheby’s in London in September 2023 for $ 31 lakh (about Rs 26 crore).

Amrita Shergil’s record broken
Earlier, the record for the most expensive painting for modern Indian art was held by Amrita Shergil’s The Story Teller (1937), which was sold for $7.4 million (about Rs 63 crore) in Mumbai in September 2023. At the same time, S.H. Raza’s 1959 painting Kalliste was sold at Sotheby’s in March 2023 for $5.6 million.

Public auction after 70 years
This painting by Hussain, made in 1954, is about 14 feet long and depicts 13 different scenes (vignettes) of Indian villages. It was brought to public auction for the first time after 70 years. The painting was originally purchased by Norwegian general surgeon and private art collector Leon Elias Volodarsky in New Delhi in 1954. Later in 1964, it was donated to Oslo University Hospital, where it was kept in a private neuroscience corridor and was unavailable to the public.

Nishad Avari, head of Christie’s South Asian modern and contemporary art department, described it as “one of the most important works” of his career. He said, “In this painting, Husain has underlined the centrality of villages and rural life after India’s independence. It is a symbol of Indian modern art’s search for identity.”

Special aspects related to the painting
According to Avari, a standing farmer present in the village journey is the only male character in this painting and it can be considered a self-portrait of Husain. This character crosses a scene that shows fields and rural surroundings. Avari said, “This farmer is the nurturer and protector of the land.”

13-year long auction process
It took 13 years to bring this painting to auction. When Oslo University Hospital decided to sell it, Christie’s immediately showed interest and completed the necessary approval process. Avari said that the money raised from this auction will be used to set up a training center for doctors in the name of Dr. Volodarsky. This historic auction clearly shows that the demand for modern Indian art is constantly increasing in the global market, and the legacy of M.F. Husain is touching new heights.