Introduction
Sotheby’s recent Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art auction in London had an exceptional sale when an untitled artwork depicting the Hindu god Shiva by renowned artist Manjit Bawa fetched a staggering $2.3 million, with set a new record for artists It was painted in 1995, a decade before the artist’s death, and offers a simultaneous reinterpretation of Lord Shiva.
Auction Exceeds Expectations
The overall sale at Sotheby’s was a resounding success, raising a total of $9,948,988 (₹84.3 crore), double its pre-auction estimate with more than 88% above estimate and 76 available 77 of which impressively saw satisfied customers.
Celebrating Artistic Excellence
Known for its use of traditional Indian colours and vibrant hues, Manjit Bawa has always been a symbol of artistic excellence. The sale of this untitled work further cemented his place in the art world.
Bhupen Khakhar’s ‘People at Mosque’ Makes Waves
The auction also marked the beginning of Khakhar’s new miniature painting with artist Bhupen Khakhar’s original work ‘People at Mosque’, which fetched a sale price of $1.8 million (₹14.7 crore) 1967 art. First exhibited that year at Khakhar’s first personal exhibition in New Delhi, it lay hidden for nearly 50 years until it resurfaced at this auction.
Rabindranath Tagore’s Masterpiece
he auction created another milestone as a masterwork from Rabindranath Tagore’s late period sold for $772,382 (₹6.4 crore). This artwork, painted just a few years before Tagore’s passing in 1941, had been housed at Dartington Hall for eight decades. It was part of a collection offered by the Dartington Hall Trust.
A Starring Cast of Artists
There was an array of stunning works from India’s most renowned artists, including Syed Haider Raza, Maqbool Fida Hussain, Francis Newton Souza, Ram Kumar, Zainul Abedin, Jagdish Swaminathan, Anwar Jalal Shemza and Zarina well.
A Record Year for Indian Artists
This year has proved to be the peak season for Indian designers in the art market. Last month, Amrita Sher-Gil’s painting ‘The Story Teller’ fetched a staggering ₹61.8 crore at the SaffronArt auction, setting a new Indian art record. In the same month, Pundole auction house in Mumbai sold a Syed Haider Raza painting titled ‘Gestation’ for ₹51.75 crore, including buyer’s expenses This landmark sale reflects the appreciation of Indian art a growing on the global stage. T
he art world is witnessing an ever-growing interest in Indian art, with artists like Manjit Bawa, Bhupen Khakhar and Rabindranath Tagore commanding unprecedented prices for their works.
Feature Image: The untitled work was painted in 1995, 10 years before the artist’s death, and reimagines Shiva in a contemporary context. Courtesy: Mint
https://www.abirpothi.com/luminous-vibrant-and-spiritual-celebrating-the-works-of-manjit-bawa-on-his-birthday/
