MUMBAI.- In its upcoming ‘Modern Treasures’ Auction, AstaGuru will showcase a captivating tapestry of Modern Indian Art with an exquisite array of rare and exemplary works by iconic Indian modernists.

The finely curated catalogue offers an eclectic selection of works by Jamini Roy, M. F. Husain, S. H. Raza, K. H. Ara, F. N. Souza, Sadanand Bakre, Akbar Padamsee, Krishen Khanna, Avinash Chandra, Ram Kumar, K. G. Subramanyan, H. A Gade, Ganesh Pyne, Jogen Chowdhury, G.R. Santosh, J Swaminathan, K. Laxma Goud, Thota Vaikuntam, K. K. Hebbar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Bhupen Khakhar, Satish Gujaral, B. Prabha, Sakti Burman, Manu Parekh, Paramjit Singh, among others. The auction is scheduled on September 1-2, 2023.

Sunny Chandiramani, Senior Vice President, Client Relations, AstaGuru Auction House states that, “We are very excited to offer this unparalleled selection of works to our collectors. Each masterpiece in the catalogue traces the artistic evolution of both the presented artists as well as the changing landscape of Indian art through the decades. What makes the selection more unique is that several of these works are unseen and are appearing in an auction for the first time. With a substantial collection of large-scale work, the auction offers an extraordinary opportunity to acquire majestic creations by luminaries, whose profound legacy is highly celebrated.”

The cover of the auction catalogue is graced by a beautiful work, lot no.51, by prolific artist M.F. Husain. Executed with oil on canvas circa 1960, it depicts a Rajasthani couple painted in a colour composition reminiscent of the vibrant and colourful culture of the state. This work is estimated to be acquired at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000. Another large-scale work by Husain, lot no. 9, is a majestic rendition of his famous horse motif. Appearing in an auction for the first time, this work was executed with oil on canvas circa 1970 and is estimated to be sold at INR 4,00,00,000 – 6,00,00,000.

Lot no. 6 is a work titled ‘Winter Morning’ by Ganesh Pyne. The tempera on canvas painting was executed in 1971 during one of the most productive phases in his career. This work is appearing in an auction for the first time and is expected to be sold at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000.

A signature style work by artist J Swaminathan, lot no. 10, is also a highlight of the upcoming auction. J Swaminathan's paintings featured vibrant colour fields delineating conceptual landscapes, with mountains, water expanses, trees, levitating stones and archetypal avian forms. Executed with oil on canvas in 1972, this work is offered with an estimate of INR 2,00,00,000 – 3,00,00,000.

Three important works by revered artist Ram Kumar are also being showcased. Lot no. 21, is an abstract landscape painting depicting the city of Benares, a place the artist had a deep fascination with. Executed in 1982 with oil on canvas, it is estimated to be sold at INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,20,00,000. Two figurative works by the artist one from the early phase and one from a later part of his career are also included in the catalogue. Lot on. 14 was executed in 1958 with oil on canvas and is offered at INR 80,00,000 – 1,00,00,000. Another figurative work, executed with acrylic on canvas in 2011, is estimated to be acquired at INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,50,00,000.

An unseen and rare treasure – a painting by the historic scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha will also be showcased. Titled, ‘Homage to Mozart,’ the beautiful work is a perfect ode to Bhabha’s devoted passion for visual arts and music. Executed circa 1960 with oil on canvas, it is estimated to be sold at INR 10,00,000 – 15,00,000.

Appearing in an auction for the first time, lot on. 28, is a large-scale figurative painting by artist K. H. Ara. Executed with watercolour on paper circa 1960, this work was showcased in a retrospective of the artist’s works at Jehangir Art Gallery in 1984 and was also published in a monograph by Lalit Kala Academy. It is estimated to be sold at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000.

A unique work by artist Thota Vaikuntam, lot no. 44, is estimated to be acquired at INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,50,00,000. Executed with acrylic on canvas in 2015, it is appearing in an auction for the first time. In this work, the artist masterfully captures the joy and harmony of this festive gathering, as opposed to chronicling quiet interactions between his protagonists.

Lot no. 47 is a significant creation by artist Akbar Padamsee. Executed in 1987 with oil on canvas, the presented work is a pivotal testament to Akbar Padamsee’s artistic progression, both in terms of subject matter and the development of his human forms, which transitioned. It is estimated to be acquired at INR 2,50,00,000 – 3,50,00,000.

Lot no. 48 is a large-scale signature style diptych work by artist K.G. Subramanyan titled ‘Figures With Mystical Bird.’ Executed with acrylic on canvas in 2015, it is estimated to be acquired at INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,50,00,000.

The selection also includes sculptural masterpieces by eminent artists such as Somnath Hore, Dhanraj Bhagat, Meera Mukherjee, Himmat Shah, Satish Gujaral, Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna.

Lot on. 11, a bronze sculpture by artist Meera Mukherjee, is estimated to be sold at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000. Appearing in an auction for the first time, lot no. 42, is a set of two works by artist Himmat Shah. One of these is a monumental bronze head sculpture of Christ, while the other is an acrylic on canvas painting. Appearing in an auction for the first time, this lot is estimated to be acquired at INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,20,00,000.

The auction will also offer five works by revered artist S. H. Raza. One of these, lot no. 4, was executed circa 1940, during an early phase of Raza’s career when he predominantly used the medium of watercolour to depict landscape scenes. It is estimated to be sold at INR 20,00, 000 – 25,00,000. A work from F. N. Souza's early career will also be presented. Titled ‘Figure in Landscape,’ the oil on board work was showcased at the artist’s solo exhibition at Gallery One in London in 1959. It is estimated to be sold at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000.