MF Hussain’s ‘Gram Yatra’ Fetches Record Rs 118.7 Crore At Christie’s Auction – News18
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MF Hussain’s painting ‘Gram Yatra’ sold for Rs 118.7 crore at Christie’s in New York, setting a new record for South Asian Modern Art. The 1954 piece depicts rural life in post-independence India
Hussain adopted three periods of Indian history in his art: the Gupta period, the Basholi period and folk art. (News18)
The late MF Hussain’s painting Gram Yatra has created history, being auctioned at the Indian Modern Art Gallery in New York for Rs 118.7 crore (around $13.7 million). The auction amount is a new record for Christie’s South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art. The auction took place on March 19. The estimated price for Gram Yatra ranged from $2.5 million to $3.5 million (Rs 21 to 31 crore), but it significantly exceeded expectations.
Hussain’s previous highest-selling painting was Untitled (Reincarnation), created in 1957, which sold for Rs 26.75 crore (about $3.1 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in London last year.
Before this, the most expensive painting ever sold in India was Amrita Shergil’s The Story Teller, which fetched Rs 61.8 crore (around $7.4 million) at a Saffronart auction in September 2023.
Historical Significance Of ‘Gram Yatra’
Gram Yatra is a 14-foot-long oil-on-canvas painting completed by Hussain in 1954. It vividly portrays rural life in post-independence India, depicting 13 different scenes that offer a glimpse into Indian villages. Through this work, Hussain expressed his vision of nation-building after independence.
The back of the painting bears the inscription: ’25.D. Badar Bagh / Balaram Street / Bombay’. The painting was first exhibited by the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society in Hussain’s hometown.
It was acquired by Norwegian surgeon Leon Elias Volodarsky, who was then the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in New Delhi. Volodarsky later gifted it to his friend, Professor Christian Christiansen, at the Oslo Medical Emergency Unit.
Art experts believe this sale will significantly influence the Indian art market. Nishad Awari, head of Christie’s South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, stated, “We have created a new benchmark for Maqbool Fida Hussain and the entire category of work. This is a historic moment. The sale continues the extraordinary upward trajectory of the modern and contemporary South Asian art market.”
Turning Point In Hussain’s Career
MF Hussain, one of India’s most renowned and influential artists, is celebrated as a trailblazer in the Indian modern art movement. Popularly known as the ‘Picasso of India’, Hussain brought Indian art to the global stage, his paintings being displayed in major galleries and museums around the world.
Hussain once shared that in 1948, he and S.H. Raza attended an exhibition of Indian classical paintings and sculptures at Viceroy Lodge in New Delhi, which he described as the turning point of his career.
Hussain adopted three periods of Indian history in his art: the Gupta period, showcasing the beauty of the female body; the Basholi period, characterised by the use of strong colours; and folk art, emphasising simple forms.
Other notable paintings by MF Hussain include Voices and Battle of Ganga and Jamuna: Mahabharata 12.
Controversies In Later Life
In his later years, Hussain faced controversies, particularly from right-wing organisations that objected to his portrayal of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Due to these controversies, Hussain left India in 2006 and relocated to London and Doha. He passed away in 2011 but his work continues to inspire and provoke, cementing his place as one of India’s most significant artists.
- Location :
New York, United States of America (USA)
