Indian art legend MF Husain has achieved a historic milestone as his artwork Untitled (Gram Yatra) was sold for a record-breaking $13.8 million (approximately ₹118 crore) at Christie’s auction in New York last week. This marks the highest-ever price fetched by an Indian artist at an international auction.
Speaking about this momentous achievement, Francis Belin, President of Christie’s Asia Pacific, expressed his admiration for Husain’s impact on the global art scene. “MF Husain is the greatest ever. His work is incredible, and the fact that his creation broke the world record last week makes us so proud. He’s put India on the global map when it comes to art. As an art lover, I have so much respect for him,” he said in an interaction at Christie’s in Hong Kong.
Indian Art on the Global Stage
The auction was significant not only for Husain but also for other renowned Indian artists. The sale saw record-breaking figures for Sayed Haider Raza, Gulam Rasool Santosh, Sudhir Patwardhan, Jeram Patel, and B Prabha.
Before Husain’s Untitled (Gram Yatra) set the new benchmark, the previous highest auction record for an Indian artist was held by Amrita Sher-Gil’s 1937 painting, The Story Teller, which sold for $7.1 million (₹61 crore) in 2023. Meanwhile, Husain’s own record before this was $3.1 million (₹26 crore) for his painting Untitled (Reincarnation), sold last year.
MF Husain’s Legacy Lives On
MF Husain, often called the “Picasso of India,” was a pioneer of modern Indian art, blending traditional themes with contemporary styles. His latest record-breaking sale cements his position as a global icon in the art world, further elevating India’s presence in the international art market.
Sources By Agencies
