"a single artwork that defines modern South Asian art"
A rediscovered masterpiece by Indian modernist painter MF Husain has set a new benchmark for Indian art.
Husain’s 14-foot-wide mural, Untitled (Gram Yatra), sold for £10.6 million at a Christie’s auction in New York.
It more than doubled the previous Indian art record of £5.7 million set by Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller in 2023.
MF Husain, a pioneering figure in Indian modernism, died in 2011 at age 95. He left India in 2006 after facing death threats from Hindu hardline groups over his depictions of deities.
For nearly 50 years, the record-breaking painting hung unnoticed in a Norwegian hospital. Now, it is recognised as a defining work of modern South Asian art.
Husain painted Gram Yatra, meaning “village journey”, in 1954, long before he became a global icon.
Its 13 vignettes depict rural Indian life through a fusion of folk traditions and modernist influences.
The painting’s earthy tones bring everyday village scenes to life, with women cooking, caring for children, and riding carts.
In one striking frame, a farmer extends his arm toward an adjoining panel, symbolizing India’s deep agricultural roots.
Nishad Avari, head of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art at Christie’s, said:
“If you’re looking for a single artwork that defines modern South Asian art, this is it.”
Husain’s work often reflected India’s cultural identity. He drew inspiration from villages rather than Western art hubs, aligning with Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that India’s soul lay in its rural communities.
According to Husain’s biographer Akhilesh, the painter shaped India’s self-image: “how people live, what they like and what they think.”
The painting also showcases MF Husain’s early cubist influences, with bold lines and geometric forms.
Its journey from India to Norway adds to its mystique.
In 1954, Ukrainian doctor Leon Elias Volodarsky, working in India on a World Health Organisation mission, purchased it for just $295 (£230).
He later took it to Oslo, where it remained at Oslo University Hospital for decades.
It resurfaced in 2013, two years after MF Husain’s death when Christie’s was alerted to its existence. The auction house exhibited it globally before last week’s record-breaking sale.
Ashish Anand, CEO of DAG (formerly Delhi Art Gallery), said this sale will boost Husain’s legacy and Indian art’s global financial standing.
He said: “This will lead to Indian art being viewed beyond just its aesthetic value to a tangible and serious financial asset.”
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