Saffronart’s Flagship Evening Sale at New Delhi

Saffronart returns with their annual flagship ‘Evening Sale’ at New Delhi this September, featuring 78 exceptional works by some of India’s best-known artists. The live auction will take place at The Oberoi, New Delhi on 16th September 2023, which will feature works by pioneers of modern Indian art, including Amrita Sher-Gil, V S Gaitonde, S H Raza, Tyeb Mehta, F N Souza, Akbar Padamsee and M F Husain.

Saffronart’s ‘Evening sale’ this September is led by Amrita Sher-Gil’s ‘The Story Teller’ (1937) in Lot 13 with an estimated auction price of INR 28 – 38 crores / USD 3.41 – 4.63 million. This special painting is from the formative period in Amrita’s oeuvre that saw her European and Indian influences merge into a unique artistic language. It is also significant for being one of the few works that she painted en plein air. The dominant subjects are women—like in many of her works—depicted as close-knit figures, crafting an inherent intimacy within the canvas. The work is an example of the artist’s most honest and expressive compositions, one that Sher-Gil herself was especially fond of as evidenced by the numerous mentions of this work in her letters.

One of the most important lots in the sale is Vasudev Gaitonde’s ‘Untitled’ from 1970 – 1972 period presented in Lot 39, with an estimate of INR 20 – 30 Crores / USD 2.43 – 3.65 million. A vibrant yellow canvas completed a year after he was awarded the ‘Padmashree’ by the Government of India. Also featured in this auction is a monumental work by S H Raza, titled ‘Earth’ (1986), part of Lot 49, with an estimate of INR 18 – 26 crores / USD 2.19 – 3.17 million. This was painted during a pivotal phase in Raza’a oeuvre that is characterised by the heightened development of geometric symbolism that culminated in the ‘Bindu’, a motif which he is best known for. Tyeb Mehta’s ‘Red Figure’ from circa 1950s (Lot 57, estimate: INR 8 – 12 crores / USD 975,610 – 1,463,415) is a rare painting by the artist that is rendered in his early Expressionist style.

Commenting on the auction, Dinesh Vazirani, Saffronart CEO and Co-Founder says, “We are delighted to return to New Delhi with our flagship auction, the ‘Evening Sale’. The catalogue is an exciting one and includes some incredible works by India’s modern masters that are of unique significance. Our leading lot, ‘The Story Teller’ by Amrita Sher-Gil, highlights the artist’s nuanced and empathetic depiction of Indian life, in particular the intimate lives of women who frequently feature in her oeuvre. The powerful work by V S Gaitonde that also goes under the hammer in this auction is a sublime example of his meticulous, meditative process and unique artistic vocabulary that distinguishes him as one of India’s greatest modernists. Among other top lots are early works by Tyeb Mehta, M F Husain, and Akbar Padamsee, the latter two made even more compelling by their distinguished provenance as part of the collection of Jane and Kito de Boer, a remarkable collection that illuminates vital periods in Indian art history.” Other major artists highlighted in the auction are Ganesh Pyne, A Ramachandran from the collection of Kito de Boer.

The sale also includes sculptures in bronze, brass, burnt wood, cement and other mediums, including works by Himmat Shah, A Ramachandran, Satish Gujral and Sankho Chaudhuri. Among other important works up for auction are by Zarina Hashmi, Jamini Roy and Jogen Chowdhury.

About Saffronart

Founded in 2000 by Minal and Dinesh Vazirani, Saffronart is a leading international auction house, and India’s most reputed, with over three hundred auctions to its credit. Its flagship gallery is in Mumbai, with offices in New Delhi, London, and New York. At the forefront of selling Indian art, Saffronart has held online and live auctions, exhibitions, and Dialogues in Art, working with collectors, gallerists, and artists to develop a strong market for art and aesthetics. Its focus is to bring transparency to the auction process and provide easy access and information to collectors around the world. Saffronart’s services go beyond auctions to include private sales, appraisals, and valuations for clients. Saffronart has set several global benchmarks for online auctions and was the subject of a case study at Harvard Business School in 2005.

The Live Auction

The live auction will take place at The Oberoi, New Delhi, and is preceded by viewings in Mumbai and New Delhi. All lots can be viewed online at saffronart.com.

Auction Dates 

Live Auction | 16 September 2023, 7.30 pm

VENUE: Ballroom, The Oberoi

Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi 110003

Preview in New Delhi

Thursday, 14 September 2023; 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm

Ballroom, The Oberoi, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi 110003

Website: www.saffronart.com | Facebook: @saffronart | Instagram: @saffronartindia

Vineel Bhurke