How did India’s most expensive artwork, by MF Husain, reach a Norway hospital?
When it comes to art, few names are as iconic as that of MF Husain, one of India’s most celebrated modern artists. Husain’s works are a testament to his unique style, which blended traditional Indian art forms with European modernism. But one of his most striking works, “Untitled (Gram Yatra)”, has taken a journey that few could have predicted. Sold at a Christie’s auction for a staggering ₹118 crore, it is now India’s most expensive artwork. But what makes this painting’s history even more remarkable is its connection to a hospital in Norway. How did a painting by India’s most celebrated artist end up on the walls of an Oslo hospital?
The answer lies in the story of LE Volodarsky, a Norway-based surgeon who bought the painting from Husain himself in 1954. At the time, Husain was still a young artist, just emerging onto the Indian art scene. Volodarsky, who was a prominent surgeon in Oslo, was a patron of the arts and a great admirer of Husain’s work. He commissioned Husain to paint a series of works, and “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” was one of the results.
But Volodarsky didn’t keep the painting for himself. In 1964, he donated it to the Oslo University Hospital, where it was exhibited in a private corridor. The hospital, which is one of the largest in Norway, has a long history of promoting art and culture. The painting became a beloved part of the hospital’s collection, and was often admired by patients, staff, and visitors alike.
So, how did the painting end up at Christie’s auction house? In 2019, the Oslo University Hospital decided to sell the painting to raise funds for a new hospital wing. The painting was put up for auction at Christie’s, and it was expected to fetch a significant sum. But no one could have predicted that it would reach the staggering sum of ₹118 crore, making it India’s most expensive artwork.
The sale of “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” is a testament to the enduring power of Husain’s art. Despite being created over 60 years ago, the painting continues to captivate audiences around the world. It is a reminder of the artist’s unique style, which blended elements of Indian mythology with modernist techniques.
But the story of “Untitled (Gram Yatra” is also a testament to the power of art to bring people together. From its creation by Husain in 1954, to its donation to the Oslo University Hospital in 1964, to its sale at Christie’s in 2019, the painting has had a remarkable journey. It has been owned by a Norwegian surgeon, exhibited in a hospital in Oslo, and admired by people from all over the world.
As the Indian Express notes, “The sale of the painting is a significant milestone in the history of Indian art, and a testament to the enduring appeal of Husain’s work. It is a reminder of the power of art to transcend borders and cultures, and to bring people together in a shared appreciation of beauty and creativity.”
In conclusion, the story of “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” is a remarkable one, full of twists and turns that few could have predicted. From its creation by Husain in the 1950s, to its donation to the Oslo University Hospital in the 1960s, to its sale at Christie’s in 2019, the painting has had a journey that is as fascinating as it is unexpected. As India’s most expensive artwork, it is a testament to the enduring power of Husain’s art, and a reminder of the power of art to bring people together.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/m-f-husain-painting-9903618/lite/
