A Collector’s Delight

The works of MF Husain,Vasudeo Gaitonde,Bhupen Khakhar,Jehangir Sabavala and S H Raza are being offered at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary South Asian Masterpieces Sale in June. Two of Husain’s works titled Jhoola and Elephant’s One are from the ’60s. Both represent an Indian palette using evocative brim colours and post-independence themes. While Jhoola has two women swinging on a wooden plank tied to a tree,Elephant’s One is a unique depiction of lord Ganesha.

Also on display for the first time in 50 years is Gaitonde’s Painting no. 1,which was acquired in New York in the ’60s and is known to be procured from famous philanthropist John D Rockefeller III. The painting records Gaitonde’s hallmark style of the era,using luminous colours and simplistic landscapes. Painting no. 1 is estimated at £250,000-450,000 (Rs 2.1 crore-3.7 crore). Raza’s Black Moon at £50,000-70,000 (Rs 41lakh-58 lakh) graphs the artist’s encounter with Abstract Expressionism when he visited the US in 1968. Its title brings forth Raza’s fascination with the bindu and his childhood spent in Madhya Pradesh.

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Yamini Mehta,Sotheby’s International Head of South Asian Art,says,“Many of these works are masterpieces coming from their first owners into the market for the first time. It is a sale that offers something for everyone,with exciting estimates and opportunities for new and established collectors.”

The auction will be held in London on June 11. For details,visit: http://www.sothebys.com