Key Points
- MF Husain's painting "Untitled (Gram Yatra)" sold for $13.8 million at Christie's
- The sale price exceeded initial estimates by almost 400%.
- The work remained hidden for 70 years before the auction
- The painting depicts 13 unique scenes from Indian village life
- Second highest auction price for South Asian art
New York, March 19, 2025 — The Indian art market has reached a spectacular milestone. MF Husain 's Untitled (Gram Yatra) fetched $13.8 million at Christie's in New York , setting a new record for the artist and making it the second most expensive South Asian work ever sold at auction .
Estimated at $3.5 million, the painting quadrupled in price, reflecting the growing international interest in modern Indian art . Five bidders competed to acquire this unique piece, which ultimately went to a private institution .
A Rare and Powerful Work
Painted in 1954 , Untitled (Gram Yatra) depicts 13 meticulously detailed scenes of Indian village life , embodying the humanist outlook and artistic commitment of Husain, an emblematic figure of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group . This painting, which remained invisible for nearly 70 years , was acquired by the Norwegian surgeon Leon Elias Volodarsky in New Delhi before being donated in 1964 to the Oslo University Hospital , where it remained hidden from view.
A Sale That Marks a Turning Point
The sale far surpasses Husain's previous record of $3.1 million and represents a growing recognition of South Asian art . It comes at a time when contemporary Indian artists are gaining unprecedented global visibility . The proceeds will be used to fund the training of doctors in Oslo, adding a philanthropic dimension to this historic sale.
A Market in Full Transformation
This success is not an isolated case. It is part of a broader dynamic: the Indian art market is booming . In 2024, the Indian Art Fair welcomed 109 exhibitors , testifying to the growing interest of international collectors in the richness and diversity of Indian artists.
Names like Amrita Sher-Gil , Tyeb Mehta , and of course MF Husain , are now recognized as pillars of global modern art . The success of these artists reflects a profound cultural shift , where Indian art is valued not only for its beauty but also for its historical and symbolic importance .
Jean Dubreil