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Rare Works by Eminent Indian Modernists to go under the hammer at AstaGuru’s upcoming Modern Indian Art ‘Collectors Choice’ Auction

The latest edition of AstaGuru’s Modern Indian Art ‘Collectors Choice’ online auction scheduled for June 23-24, 2022, will present bidders with an extraordinary opportunity to acquire masterpieces and rare compositions. While works by the members of the Progressive Artists’ Group continue to be highly prized among collectors, they are also thrilled to diversify their art collection with significant creations by other celebrated names of Modern Indian Art.

The collection presents work from different periods of Modern Indian Art and includes exceptional creations by revered names such as Nicholas Roerich, Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher- Gil, M V Dhurandhar, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, M F Husain, S H Raza, F N Souza, Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, Krishen Khanna, Arpita Singh, Sakti Burman, K K Hebbar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Ganesh Pyne, and Rameshwar Broota amongst other eminent artists.

Commenting on the auction, Sunny Chandiramani, Vice President- Client Relations, AstaGuru Auction House, said, “Our ‘Collectors Choice’ edition has emerged to be one of the most anticipated auctions by the collectors. It has consistently garnered tremendous response due to the vastness and diversity of the collection offered. The ‘No Reserve’ format makes it more accessible for a larger collector base to participate in the auction since bidding starts at INR 20,000. These works have been part of noteworthy collections and also stand as significant milestones in the artists’ careers. Several of these rare gems are appearing in an auction for the first time. The auction also features sculptures by respected artists including Prodosh Das Gupta, Sankho Chaudhuri, Himmat Shah, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, K Laxma Goud, P V Janakiram, and S Nandagopal.”

Leading the stellar lineup is lot no. 41, a work by artist Tyeb Mehta. Executed circa 1962, the work comes from an early period when he was inspired by the works of British figurative painter Francis Bacon. Residing in London at the time, Tyeb Mehta was also influenced by philosophical dwellings on human frailty. Executed with a heavy impasto technique and a restricted colour palette, the canvas features a lonely, isolated figure. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 3,00,00,000 – 4,00,00,000.

A work by artist Arpita Singh, lot no. 164, is titled ‘Counting Flowers: My Benares Saree.’ Executed in the year 1997, it is an archetypal example of the artist’s visual idiom, and colour composition, as well as the recurrent motifs seen in her works. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 80,00,000 – 1,00,00,000.

Appearing in an auction for the first time, lot no. 5 is a majestic work by one of India’s ‘Navratna’ artists, Nicholas Roerich. Fondly called the ‘Master of Mountains,’ Roerich was pre-eminently a symbolic painter, one whose hues of sapphire and clandestine clouds of white will forever be etched as magnificent representations of the Himalayan range. Executed circa 1940, this work will be offered with an estimate of INR 30,00,000 – 40,00,000.

Lot no. 52 by senior modernist Krishen Khanna is a work created in the year 1982. The figurative and architectural forms rendered in a limited palette showcase Krishen Khanna’s mastery over the the technicalities of painting. This work is estimated to be acquired at INR 80,00,000 – 1,00,00,000.

A work by India’s iconic modernist M F Husain, lot no. 146, is titled ‘Shankara.’ Depicting a figure with a serpent, this work was originally in the collection of artist Bal Chhabda, who was a very good friend of M F Husain. Executed circa 1961, this work also featured in a monograph published by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, in 1961 titled ‘Husain: Contemporary Indian Art Series’ published by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 80,00,000 – 1,00,00,000.

Lot no. 124 is an exquisite work by artist Jogen Chowdhury, who is famously called the ‘Master of Unbroken Lines.’ This extremely intricate work executed with the cross-hatching technique depicts a couple, a recurring theme in the artist’s oeuvre. Executed with watercolour, pen, and colour pencils on paper in 1990, it will be offered with an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

A acrylic on canvas work by artist Bikash Bhattacharjee, lot no. 125, will also be showcased in the auction. Taking a detour from his hyper-realistic imagery, the artist has executed this work with a unique approach and fluidity of colours. The painting was executed in the year 1993 and depicts a falling figure. It was exhibited in the 2019 edition of the India Art Fair. It is estimated to be acquired at a value of INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000.

Lot no.163 is a unique ink on paper calligraphic work by V S Gaitonde. The artist was deeply influenced by Zen Buddhism, producing works that consisted of non-mimetic, calligraphic, and hieroglyphic markings. Executed in 1985, this work will be offered with an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000. Two more similar style works are also a part of the upcoming auction.

A work from artist F N Souza’s formative years, lot no. 31, showcases his preoccupation with the voluptuous form inspired by ancient Indian cold stone sculptures. Executed with gouache on paper in circa 1950, the work was originally in the collection of Julian Hartnoll Gallery, London, and was also exhibited there in 1997. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

Lot no. 157 is a signature style work titled ‘Germination Red’ by S H Raza, and is appearing in an auction for the first time. The ‘Bindu,’ represents the centre of the universe and the beginning of everything in S H Raza’s geometric paintings. Executed in the year 2000, this work was showcased in an online retrospective titled ‘Raza – Rendezvous: A Selection of Works from 1940 – 2000’ held by The Arts Trust in 2020. The work was also featured in the exhibition catalogue. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 30,00,000.

The entire auction catalogue can be viewed on www.astaguru.com and the auction will take place on the website on June 23rd – 24th 2022.

About AstaGuru

AstaGuru was conceptualized in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Indian, Contemporary & Modern Art. The word AstaGuru is a thoughtful conjugation of ‘Asta’, of Italian origin, which translates to auction and ‘Guru’, Sanskrit connotation for ‘master’ that indicates our distinguished finesse at being the leaders of auctioneering art and artefacts in India as well as globally. With the world melting into one harmonious digital cosmos, AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectibles. Our diverse portfolio includes categories such as Jewellery & Fine Silver, Timepieces, Textiles, Celebrity Memorabilia, Rare Books, Numismatic, Philately and Vintage Cars. AstaGuru’s mobile app enables our esteemed bidders to follow and participate in our auctions seamlessly, and in real time.

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