A monumental painting by legendary Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain, titled Untitled (Gram Yatra), has set a new record for Modern Indian Art, fetching an astonishing $13.7 million (around Rs 118 crore) at a Christie’s auction in New York on March 19. This sale not only marks a significant achievement in the art world but also makes it the first Indian artwork to cross the Rs 100 crore mark at auction.
The painting, created in 1954, is a vivid tribute to rural India, capturing 13 distinct vignettes depicting life in the countryside. Measuring nearly 14 feet in length, it was originally showcased at the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS) exhibition in New Delhi in 1954. After being acquired by Norwegian doctor Leon Elias Volodarsky, it remained in Europe for decades, largely out of the public eye. Volodarsky, an avid art collector, bought the piece for just 1,400 rupees, a modest sum compared to its current value.
Indian Art Market Witnesses Historic Surge
Following Volodarsky’s death, the painting was donated to Oslo University Hospital in 1964, where it hung in a private corridor for years. The work finally surfaced at Christie’s auction house after a tip-off about its location, and the rest, as they say, is history. The sale was a fierce bidding war, with Indian art collector and philanthropist Kiran Nadar reportedly acquiring the piece after a heated contest.
The previous record for a Husain painting was $3.1 million (about Rs 26 crore) for Untitled (Reincarnation), sold last year. The staggering price of Gram Yatra represents a 450% increase in Husain’s auction value, signaling a significant shift in the art market. Experts predict this will influence the pricing of Indian art across the board, boosting the confidence in the country’s art scene.
History of the Painting
Husain, one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, was a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, established in 1947 to break free from European artistic traditions and create a new, uniquely Indian form of modern art. His works, often characterised by vibrant colors, bold figures, and a fusion of cubist and folk styles, continue to inspire and attract attention globally.
Art historians describe Gram Yatra as a critical piece in Husain’s career, exemplifying his signature boldness, bright palette, and unique narrative style. The sale of this iconic painting has not only elevated Husain’s standing but also placed a spotlight on the growing market for Indian art, signaling greater recognition for artists from the region. This sale is a true “homecoming” for Husain and his work, as it finally receives the recognition it deserves on the global stage.
