How did India’s most expensive artwork, by MF Husain, reach a Norway hospital?
In a remarkable tale of art, charity, and serendipity, India’s most expensive artwork, a painting by the legendary artist MF Husain, has found a new home in an Oslo hospital. The painting, titled “Untitled (Gram Yatra)”, was sold at a Christie’s auction for a staggering ₹118 crore, shattering all previous records. But how did this masterpiece, created in 1954, end up in a Norwegian hospital?
The story begins in the early 1950s, when MF Husain, then a young and ambitious artist, was looking to sell his work to make a name for himself in the art world. It was during this period that he met Dr. LE Volodarsky, a Norwegian surgeon who had traveled to India to conduct medical research. Volodarsky was so impressed by Husain’s work that he purchased the painting, titled “Untitled (Gram Yatra)”, from the artist himself.
For the next decade, the painting remained in Volodarsky’s possession, adorning the walls of his Oslo home. However, in 1964, the doctor decided to make a selfless gesture and donate the painting to Oslo University Hospital, where he worked. The hospital, which was a leading medical institution in Norway, was thrilled to receive the artwork and promptly exhibited it in a private corridor.
For the next several decades, the painting remained a cherished part of the hospital’s art collection, admired by patients, staff, and visitors alike. However, with the passage of time, the hospital’s priorities shifted, and the painting was eventually relegated to storage.
Fast forward to 2019, when the hospital decided to auction off some of its art pieces to raise funds for new medical equipment and facilities. It was during this process that the hospital’s administrators discovered the hidden gem that was “Untitled (Gram Yatra)”. Recognizing the painting’s significance, they decided to consign it to Christie’s auction house, where it would be sold to the highest bidder.
The auction took place on May 23, 2019, and the bidding war was intense. In the end, the painting was sold to an anonymous buyer for a staggering ₹118 crore, a new record for Indian art. The buyer, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has since donated the painting to a museum in India, where it will be put on display for the public to admire.
As the news of the painting’s sale spread, art enthusiasts and collectors around the world were left wondering how this masterpiece had managed to remain hidden for so long. The answer lies in the painting’s journey from Oslo to the Christie’s auction block.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Dr. Torstein Rotnes, the CEO of Oslo University Hospital, explained the circumstances surrounding the painting’s sale. “When we decided to auction off some of our art pieces, we were amazed by the value of ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’. We realized that this painting was not just a piece of art, but a piece of history. We were thrilled to see it go to a good home, where it can be appreciated by art lovers once again.”
The sale of “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” has sent shockwaves through the art world, with many praising the hospital’s decision to auction off the painting. The sale has also raised questions about the value of art and its place in society. As Dr. Rotnes astutely observed, “Art is not just for the rich; it should be accessible to everyone. We are proud to have played a small part in bringing this incredible piece of art to a wider audience.”
As we look back on the journey of “Untitled (Gram Yatra”, we are reminded of the power of art to bring people together and transcend borders. From its creation in 1950s India to its current home in a Norwegian hospital, this painting has traveled a remarkable distance. And as it takes its place in a new museum, it serves as a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire, educate, and delight.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/m-f-husain-painting-9903618/lite/
