A painting by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore has achieved a historic milestone in the Indian art market, fetching a staggering Rs 10.7 crore at a recent online auction. The sale price dramatically exceeded its pre-auction estimate of Rs 2 to 3 crore, setting a new benchmark for the poet-philosopher's visual art.
A White-Glove Sale and Record-Breaking Results
The artwork, titled From Across The Dark, was the star lot of the 'Historic Masterpieces' auction conducted by AstaGuru between December 14 and 17. The event was a resounding success, achieving a rare 'white-glove' status where every single one of the 87 lots offered found a buyer. The auction house reported a total sale value of Rs 163.65 crore, underscoring the robust demand for high-quality modernist works.
Manoj Mansukhani, Director of Marketing at AstaGuru, commented on the phenomenal response. He stated that the results reaffirm the growing appetite among collectors for modernist pieces that are fresh to the market and boast exceptional provenance.
Masterpieces That Made History
While Tagore's work led the charge, several other artists also saw their pieces set new personal records. A notable work by Krishen Khanna, titled The Last Supper, commanded an impressive Rs 10.22 crore. Meanwhile, a figurative painting called Monalisa by Sadanand K Bakre was sold for Rs 2.30 crore. The landscape of the Bombay coastline by Austrian painter Walter Langhammer fetched Rs 56.96 lakh, completing a series of standout performances.
The Story Behind Tagore's Record-Setting Work
Tagore's record-breaking piece is a profound composition created using ink, poster colour, and crayon on cardboard. It features two figures and a solitary tree, emanating a contemplative mood. The artwork holds significant historical and personal value, as it was painted in Almora in 1937, merely four years before the artist's death. Tagore personally gifted this piece to Rajmata Vidyawati Devi of Kasmanda in Mussoorie.
It is remarkable that Tagore began his serious journey into drawing and painting only in his sixties. What started as casual doodles in the margins of his manuscripts blossomed into a dedicated passion, resulting in nearly 2,500 works that were exhibited widely across India, Asia, and Europe. In recognition of their cultural importance, Tagore's entire body of visual art was declared a National Treasure under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972.
This landmark auction not only highlights the enduring legacy of Rabindranath Tagore as a multifaceted genius but also signals the increasing strength and maturity of the Indian art market on the global stage. The overwhelming success demonstrates that masterworks with distinguished history and rarity continue to captivate collectors and command unprecedented value.
