Art/Auctions: Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art at Christie's New York, September 13, 2017

The September 13, 2017 auction at Christie's New York of Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art is a major untitled abstract painting by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, several nice works by Syed Haider Raza, a good painting by Tyeb Mehta and a fine work by Maqbool Fida Husain.

Lot 414 is a lush, large abstract oil on canvas by Gaitonde (1924-2001) that was painted in 1996 and measures 55 by 40 inches. It has been widely published and exhibited and was once in the collection of the Centre of International Modern Art in Kolkata. It is the cover illustration of the catalogue for this auction.

The catalogue entry provides the following commentary:

"Imbued with a distinctive lyricism and luminosity, this painting can be likened to a musical composition, both in emotive capacity and in its visual structure, which recalls a placement of notes on the horizontal bars of musical notations....Against a ground methodically layered in tones of vermillion, orange and yellow here Gaitonde inscribes a series of enigmatic hieroglyphic forms that seem almost like embers scorched into the transluscent surface, pulsating with a unique meaning for each viewer. An ode to the power and complexity of color, this painting resonates with several art historic traditions from the minature pantings of the Himalayan foothills to Abstract Expressionism and the works of artists like Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman and Clyfford Still."

It has an estimate of $2,800,000 to $3,500,000. It sold for $4,092,500.

Lot 435, "Untitled (Falling Figure," by Tyeb Mehta, acrylic on canvas, 45 1/8 by 36 inches, 1991

Lot 435 is a strong acrylic on canvas by Tyeb Mehta (1925-2009) of a "Falling Figure." It measures 45 1/8 by 36 inches and was painted in 1991. It has an estimate of $1,500,000 to $2,000,000. It sold for $1,632,500.

Lot 475, (Untitled, Krishna and Cow)" by Manjit Bawa (1941-2008), oil on canvas, 70 7/8 by 59 inches, 1998

Lot 475 is a large oil on canvas by Manjit Bawa (1941-2008) is an untitled work of Krishna and Cow. It measures 70 7/8 by 59 inches and was painted in 1998. It has an estimate of $350,000 to $500,000. It sold for $780,500.

Lot 458, "Untitled (Musicians and Dancers)," by Maqbool Fida Hussain, oil on canvas, 30 7/8 by 67 1/2 inches, 1970s

Lot 458 is a lush oil on canvas by Maqbool Fida Hussain (1913-2010) that is "Untitled (Musicians and Dancers)." It measures 30 7/8 by 67 1/2 inches and was painted in the 1970s. It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $212,500.

Lot 452, "Untitled," oil on canvas, 48 by 34 1/2 inches, circa 1965

Another Hussain is Lot 452. Untitled, it measures 48 by 34 1/2 inches and was painted circa 1965. It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $250,000.

Lot 419, "Untitled (Kashmir)," by Maqbool Fida Hussain, mixed media on paper, 30 7/8 by 22 inches

Another Hussain is Lot 419, a mixed media on paper entitled "Untitled (Kashmir)." It measures 30 7/8 by 22 inches It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $18,750.

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Lot 423, "Untitled (Varnasi)," by Ram Kumar, oil on canvas, 27 7/8 by 28 inches, 1965

Lot 423, "Untitled (Varnasi)," is an oil on canvas by Ram Kumar (b. 1924). It measures 27 7/8 by 28 inches and was painted in 1965. It has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. It sold for $112,500.

Lot 410, "Untitled," by Syed Haider Raza, 10 1/2 by 8 3/8 inches, 1963

Lot 410 is an untitled oil on canvas by Syed Haider Raza. It measures 10 1/2 by 8 3/8 inches and was painted in 1963. It has an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. It sold for $27,500.

Lot 412, "Paysage Barbizon," by Syed Haider Raza, oil on canvas, 25 5/8 by 21 1/4 inches, 1959

Another Raza work is Lot 412, "Paysage Barbizon." An oil on canvas, it measures 25 5/8 by 21 1/4 inches and was painted in 1959. It has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. It sold for $60,000.

Lot 427, "Paysage," by Syed Haider Raza, acrylic on tin, 26 3/4 by 26 1/8 inches, 1971

Lot 427 is an abstract composition by Syed Haider Raza (1922-2016). An acrylic on tin, it measures 26 3/4 by 26 1/8 inches and was painted in 1971. It is entitled "Paysage." It has an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. It sold for $50,000.

Lot 425, "Untitled," by Syed Haider Raza," 9 7/8 inches square, 1984

The nicest of the auction's Razas is Lot 425, an untitled acrylic on canvas that measures 9 7/8 inches square. It was painted in 1984. It has an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. It sold for $11,250.

Lot 471, "Untitled," by Jayashree Chakaravarty, acrylic and oil on canvas, 71 by 53 7/8 inches, 2005

Lot 471 is a large acrylic and oil on canvas by Jayashree Chakeravarty (b. 1956). Untitled, it measures 71 by 53 7/8 inches and was painted in 2005. It has an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. It sold for $12.500.

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