Picasso original at Rs 6 lakh…

Previous auctions have featured works by British painter Walter Langhammer and Russian landscapist Nicholas Roerich. But someone as big as Picasso has never been sold in India before. However a reality check reveals that it’s not a multi-million dollar painting that is going up for auction.

A very significant 1937 catalogue of drawings and studies for Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica is what is up for grabs. The artist has signed and sketched in pastel on the cover which is what gives it the value for an opening bid of Rs 6-7.5 lakh.

‘‘It may not be an attraction to the average Indian art collector as much as it could peak the interest of people familiar with the historical significance of Guernica and its importance within Picasso’s larger body of work,’’ says Christie’s former India representative, Mallika Sagar.

So, would the entry of this catalogue mean that we will get to see more of Western Art in the Indian market? Tuli believes so. ‘‘There are Titians (Tizian Vecellio) and (Henri) Mattises stashed away with some of our Royalty. It’s just a matter of time before some of it comes into the market,’’ said the art enthusiast.

To make a real dent in the market and create interest, a sustained effort of quality works by European artists is needed to get the trend rolling.