This M. F. Husain Painting Just Sold for $13.8 Million at Auction, Shattering a Record for Modern Indian Art
M. F. Husain's Untitled (Gram Yatra) sold at Christie's for $13.8 million in New York, making it the most expensive work of modern Indian art ever publicly auctioned.
That amount, which includes fees, shattered the auction house's estimate of $2.5 million–$3.5 million and was more than four times the artist's previous record of $3.1 million, which was set by his painting Untitled (Reincarnation) last September at Sotheby's in London.
More from Robb Report
A Lavish $23.5 Million French Renaissance Mansion in Dallas Is Fit for Royalty
Exclusive Luxury Comes to the Southern Tip of Eleuthera
This West Palm Beach Penthouse With an Artistic Legacy Can Be Yours for $1.5 Million
The previous record for a modern Indian work was $7.4 million, for Amrita Sher-Gil's The Story Teller (1937), which sold in September 2023 in Mumbai. (S. H. Raza's 1959 painting Kallisté, which sold last March at Sotheby's for $5.6 million, was given an estimate of $2 million–$3 million—the highest price ever put on a modern Indian artwork at auction, a spokesperson for that house said.)
The Husain record was mintedduring Christie's sale for South Asian modern and contemporary art, a category which continues to garner momentum despite a fragmented art market.
The 1954 painting, which is nearly 14 feet long, was a consignment 13 years in the making and one that Nishad Avari, the New York–based head of Christie's South Asian modern and contemporary art department, called 'by far one of the most significant works' he's seen in his career.
Avari told ARTnews that, prior to the sale, his department had hoped Untitled (Gram Yatra) would change Husain's market, which has lagged compared to F. H. Souza and Raza, two other members of the Progressive Artists' Group.
Of the Husain painting, Avari said, 'It comprises of 13 separate vignettes of village life in India, which is really important, because this is five years after Indian independence, and Husain and all his colleagues are trying to figure out at the time what it means to be a modern Indian artist.'
In the painting Untitled (Gram Yatra), Husain emphasizes the centrality of village and rural life in India as the basis for going forward as a new nation. Avari also noted that one of the 13 vignettes portrays a standing farmer—the only male figure in the in the piece. This is a self-portrait of sorts, and the only image which crosses into another vignette of a landscape with fields. 'It's literally a portrait of a farmer as a sustainer of the land and a protector of the land,' Avari said.
The original owner of the painting was Leon Elias Volodarsky, a Norwegian general surgeon and private art collector, who acquired Untitled (Gram Yatra) in New Delhi in 1954, while heading a World Health Organization team stationed there to establish a thoracic surgery training center. Volodarsky's estate donated it to the Oslo University Hospital in 1964.
When the hospital first contacted Christie's about Untitled (Gram Yatra), Avari said his team's immediate response was: 'We're getting on a plane.'
For seven decades, Untitled (Gram Yatra) was unavailable for viewing by the public. 'It was in a private neuroscience corridor,' Avari said.
The 13-year process to get it to the auction block on March 19 included gaining the necessary permissions from the Oslo University Hospital's board when the institution was finally ready to sell. 'What's really, really gratifying, is that the proceeds are going to be used to set up a training center for doctors in Dr. Volodarsky's name,' Avari said.
Best of Robb Report
The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way)
In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties
Click here to read the full article.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Where to Eat, Drink and Chill in Kauai's Tastiest Beach Town
Before traveling to Hawaii for the first time, I spent hours browsing through Instagram and TikTok foodie posts. Gathering ideas for all the delicious meals I'd eat, I had high expectations for the food in Poipu Beach, located on the south shore of Kauai. As it turns out, this island's food scene impressed me even more than expected. From nicer, more sophisticated spots like Red Salt Restaurant to quick bar bites at Kalapaki Joe's, check out these best Kauai food and drink spots on your next visit. These must-visit restaurants in Kauai won't let you down. I love Indian food and will make a point to grab it during any trip. This tucked-away restaurant, "That Indian Place", has excellent food and will adjust to your spice preferences. I ordered the butter chicken (mild) and the chicken sagwala (mild), along with some garlic naan bread. The local atmosphere and outdoor dining patio really made this place stand out as one of my favorite spots to eat throughout the whole trip. Top menu items Mango LassiButter ChickenChicken Tikka MasalaChicken SagwalaPaneer Tikka Stop by Brennecke's Beach Broiler as you stroll along Poipu Beach for a lively, vibrant atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike know this top spot as one of the best places for food and drink on Kauai. While crowded, you can grab some phenomenal bites here as well as tropical-style frozen cocktails. I loved the desserts here too. If you plan on doing some appetizer or bar hopping along the main strip, definitely make this restaurant/bar a must-visit spot. Top menu items Seafood Pupu PlatterMango MadnessLava Lava FlowPineapple Rum Upside Down Cake If you want to try a Loco Moco, stop by Red Salt Restaurant, attached to the beautiful Ko'a Kea Resort. This spot served the best Loco Moco I had while in Hawaii. A Loco Moco is a Hawaiian favorite comfort food, made with white rice, gravy, a hamburger patty, and topped with a fried egg. It sounds interesting, but trust me once you try it, you'll want to order it time and time again. The ocean views from this restaurant also set the scene for a nice meal. Top menu items Lemon Pineapple PancakesLoco Moco Acai Bowl Unlike other islands with numerous national chains, Kauai offers a more locally inspired dining scene. This laid-back, down-to-earth island provides numerous options for fresh, local seafood, including mahimahi, ahi tuna, and ono. The island also has many traditional Hawaiian plates to try. I highly recommend trying at least one classic Hawaiian dish, such as the Loco Moco, during your visit. You'll also find spam musubi almost everywhere, another classic food in Kauai. Where to Stay in Kauai, Hawaii's Gorgeous Garden IsleBest Time to Visit Hawaii: A Month-by-Month GuideUnwind & Recharge: Choosing the Ideal Hawaiian Island for Your Family Getaway10 Dreamy Honeymoon Spots in the USA20 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii with Kids The post Where to Eat, Drink and Chill in Kauai's Tastiest Beach Town appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle on why he would never make 'Slumdog Millionaire' today
British director Danny Boyle has said he wouldn't even think of making a film like " Slumdog Millionaire" today, citing concerns over "cultural appropriation." "I'm proud of the film, but you wouldn't even contemplate doing something like that today. It wouldn't even get financed," he told The Guardian about the hit 2008 movie. The filmmaker won an Oscar for best director for the movie, which follows a young Indian man (played by Dev Patel) as he is given the life-changing opportunity to appear on a local version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" The film, which won eight Academy Awards, received critical acclaim and was a hit at the box office, but some critics took issue with its portrayal of Indian society. "We wouldn't be able to make that now," Boyle said. "And that's how it should be. It's time to reflect on all that. We have to look at the cultural baggage we carry and the mark that we've left on the world." Boyle said that while he had made efforts "to make a film within the culture," including working with a large local crew, it was still a "flawed method." "You're still an outsider," he said. "That kind of cultural appropriation might be sanctioned at certain times. But at other times it cannot be." "Slumdog Millionaire" was adapted by screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and based on the novel "Q & A" by Vikas Swarup. The film grossed more than $378 million worldwide. Boyle's latest movie, a zombie horror titled "28 Years Later" — part of the "28 Days Later" series — was released in theaters on June 20. In a recent interview with Business Insider, the director discussed his return to the zombie genre and why they shot the film using modern tech like iPhones and drones. "I felt an obligation to take the spirit of the first movie, but be aware that the technology has moved on so much," Boyle said. "Phones now shoot at 4K, which is what a lot of cameras shoot at anyway. And the advantage of using the phones is we were able to be very lightweight," he added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Danny Boyle: Slumdog Millionaire was cultural appropriation
Danny Boyle has said his hit film Slumdog Millionaire was cultural appropriation. The British director, who also made the films Trainspotting and 127 Hours, said that he was proud of Slumdog Millionaire, but that 'you wouldn't even contemplate doing something like that today'. The 2008 Oscar-winning movie, which Boyle directed, follows the story of a boy from the slums of Mumbai who is one question away from winning the Hindi version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, before being arrested on suspicion of cheating. It was shot in Mumbai, partly in Hindi, and used a local crew, but the award-winning director said he couldn't make it today. He would instead be 'looking for a young Indian filmmaker' to direct the picture, because his directing of the film was 'cultural appropriation'. He told The Guardian on his press tour for the horror film 28 Years Later: 'That kind of cultural appropriation might be sanctioned at certain times, but at other times it cannot be. It wouldn't even get financed. 'We wouldn't be able to make that now. And that's how it should be. It's time to reflect on all that. We have to look at the cultural baggage we carry and the mark that we've left on the world.' He said it was a 'flawed method' because it was filmed by 'outsiders'. 'At the time it felt radical. We made the decision that only a handful of us would go to Mumbai. 'We'd work with a big Indian crew and try to make a film within the culture. But you're still an outsider. It's still a flawed method. Even if I was involved, I'd be looking for a young Indian filmmaker to shoot it.' The film premiered at the 2008 Telluride Film Festival and won eight Oscars at the 2009 Academy Awards, including those for best picture and best director, as well as several BAFTA awards and Golden Globes. It was also a box office hit, making $378 million worldwide on a reported $15 million budget. Speaking about his directorial choices in the interview, Boyle explained: 'I value the popular audience. I believe in popular entertainment. 'I want to push the boat out, but take the popular audience with me.' Elsewhere, he discussed his direction of Isles of Wonder, the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics that featured Daniel Craig as James Bond and the late Queen Elizabeth II. The film, which was a celebration of British culture, also featured the National Health Service, Shakespeare, the Sex Pistols and Windrush migrants. However, Boyle said his 'biggest regret' was not featuring the BBC in it more, saying if he were to do it again he would 'big up' the 'precious' national broadcaster. He said: 'My biggest regret was that we didn't feature the BBC more. I was stopped from doing it because it was the host broadcaster. 'Every other objection, I told them to go f--- themselves. But that one I accepted and I regret that now, especially given the way that technology is moving. 'The idea that we have a broadcaster that is part of our national identity, but is also trusted around the world and that can't be bought, can't be subsumed into Meta or whatever, feels really precious. 'So yeah, if I was doing it again I'd big up the BBC big time. Everything else I'd do exactly the same.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
