How did India’s most expensive artwork, by MF Husain, reach a Norway hospital?
India’s art world was left stunned recently when Christie’s auction house announced that the country’s most expensive artwork, a painting by the legendary artist MF Husain, had been sold for a staggering ₹118 crore. The artwork in question is titled “Untitled (Gram Yatra)”, a masterpiece that has been making waves in the art world for decades. But what’s even more astonishing is the painting’s journey to its current home – Oslo University Hospital in Norway. In this blog post, we’ll unravel the fascinating story behind how this Indian art treasure ended up in a Norwegian hospital.
The story begins in the 1950s when LE Volodarsky, a Norway-based surgeon, purchased the painting from Husain himself. Volodarsky was a patron of the arts and had a deep appreciation for Indian culture. He had met Husain during one of his visits to India and was impressed by the artist’s unique style and technique. The two men struck up a friendship, and Volodarsky decided to buy the painting from Husain for his Oslo home.
Fast forward to the 1960s, when Volodarsky decided to donate the painting to Oslo University Hospital. The hospital, which is one of the largest in Norway, was a place where Volodarsky had spent many years working as a surgeon. He wanted to give back to the institution that had been his home for so long, and what better way to do so than by donating a masterpiece of Indian art?
The painting was hung in a private corridor of the hospital, where it remained for decades, admired by staff and patients alike. But despite its prominent placement, the painting was not widely known outside of Norway. That was until the Christie’s auction, which brought the artwork to international attention.
So, how did this painting end up at Christie’s auction in the first place? The answer lies in the hospital’s decision to sell the painting to raise funds for its art therapy program. In recent years, the hospital has been using art as a form of therapy for its patients, and the sale of the Husain painting was seen as a way to raise funds for this program.
The auction itself was a major event, with collectors and art enthusiasts from around the world bidding on the painting. In the end, it was a consortium of Indian buyers who emerged victorious, purchasing the painting for a staggering ₹118 crore. The sale set a new record for the highest price paid for an Indian artwork at auction, cementing Husain’s status as one of the country’s most celebrated artists.
But what does this sale say about the Indian art market? According to art experts, the sale of the Husain painting is a sign of the growing demand for Indian art globally. “The sale of this painting is a reflection of the increasing interest in Indian art among international collectors,” says art critic and historian, Ranjit Hoskote. “MF Husain was a pioneer of modern Indian art, and his paintings are highly sought after by collectors and museums around the world.”
The sale also highlights the importance of art therapy programs in hospitals. By using art as a form of therapy, hospitals can help patients cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The sale of the Husain painting will help the Oslo University Hospital to further develop its art therapy program, providing patients with a unique and innovative way to heal.
In conclusion, the journey of MF Husain’s “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” from Oslo to India is a testament to the power of art to bring people together across cultures and borders. From its origins in India to its current home in Norway, this painting has traveled a long and winding road, touching the hearts and minds of countless people along the way.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/m-f-husain-painting-9903618/lite/
