It’s not very often that in an auction of Indian art, a work of contemporary art supercedes those by modern masters to become an important highlight. One such rare instance is the upcoming Saffronart Evening Sale of Modern & Contemporary Indian Art on February 24, where the most talked about work will be an untitled stainless steel sculpture by Anish Kapoor (b. 1954). Inscribed as ‘Anish Kapoor Oval Disc,’ this 2005 work measuring 55 X 43.25 X11.75 in is expected to go for $588,240-$882,355 (approx. Rs 4 crore - Rs 6 crore). This is the first time that an Anish Kapoor work of this scale is coming up for auction in India.The rest of the auction is peopled by familiar names and signatures of modern and contemporary art. As has been the case with the Indian art market for quite sometime, the top price is reserved for an oil on canvas by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde (1924-2001). Painted in 1971, it is estimated at $882,355 - $1,176,480 (approx. Rs 6 crore - Rs 8 crore). Another work by the late master is on offer in this auction. It is a pen and ink work on paper, dated 1987, and estimated at $26,475 - $35,295 (approx. Rs 18 lakh - Rs 24 lakh). Tyeb Mehta (1925-2009) is also represented by two works in the sale, an oil on canvas and a pencil on paper work. The former, a 1966 oil, comes to the auction table from a New Delhi-based collection and is estimated at $588,240 - $735,295 (approx. Rs 4 crore - Rs 5 crore). The second, titled ‘Head,’ 1989, comes from the Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi and is estimated at $26,475 - $32,355 (approx. Rs 18 lakh - Rs 22 lakh). An untitled 1992 oil on canvas by Manjit Bawa (1941-2008), which has made to the cover of the sale catalogue is estimated at $294,120 - $441,180 (approx. Rs 2 crore - Rs 3 crore). Though the work is untitled, the central figure bears a distinct resemblance to Lord Krishna playing the flute, as he is also blue-bodied like Krishna, appearing striking in a lush red background. However, unlike the cowherd Krishna who is surrounded by cows when he plays the flute, this figure is surrounded by dogs. The sale catalogue conjecturs that Bawa’s blue-bodied figure may even be the doomed lover Ranjha from the Punjabi legend of “Heer-Ranjha”. Four other works by Bawa appear in the auction — three oils on canvas and one ink on paper. The most distinctive is an oil exploring the same theme as the Krishna canvas — relationship between man and animal. In a rich canary yellow background, Bawa captures man and a dog in a playful posture. It is estimated at $257,355 - $330,885 (approx. Rs 1.75 crore - Rs 2.25 crore). A total of six works by S H Raza (1922) are going on sale, of which the most expensive is a 1987 acrylic on canvas, titled “Germination.” It is estimated at $367,650-$514,710 (approx. Rs 2.5 crore - Rs 3.5 crore). It comes from an important New Delhi collection. Equally eminent and highly attractive with its bright triangles is Raza’s 2000 acrylic on canvas, “Triangles.” It is estimated at $176,475 - $220,590 (approx. Rs 1.2 crore - Rs 1.5 crore).Highly distinctive due to its composition is “Pieta” by Krishen Khanna (b. 1925). An oil on canvas, it’s Khanna’s interpretation of an iconic moment from Christianity when Mother Mary cradles Christ who is exhausted after his descent from the cross. It’s a theme that the artist has dealt with many times in his career. The canvas is estimated at $102,945 - $132,355 (approx. Rs 70 lakh - Rs 90 lakh). One of the largest works (in terms of size) on offer is an untitled oil on canvas by Akbar Padamsee (b. 1928). A 1970 work measuring 157 X 273.7 cm, it’s the only seascape that Padamsee ever painted. It was commissioned by Nana Vakil, a prominent Mumbai lawyer, who was also a patron to many Indian modernists. The sale is also presenting works by top names of contemporary Indian art such as Atul and Anju Dodiya, Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, T.V. Santhosh, and Thukral and Tagra among others. A canvas to watch out for is “Blast In Silence,” a 2002 oil by Rameshwar Broota. It’s a rare work considering that the master artist is not very prolific and his works come up in auction not so frequently. It is estimated at $404,415-$514,710 (approx. Rs 2.75 crore - Rs 3.5 crore). Another of Ravinder Reddy’s fibreglass work, the renowned gold-painted heads with elaborate coiffeure, is on offer. It is estimated at $220,590-$294,120 (approx. Rs 1.5crore - Rs 2 crore). For details on all the 80 lots on offer in this sale, visit www.saffronart.com.Follow@ARTINFOIndia
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