How did India’s most expensive artwork, by MF Husain, reach a Norway hospital?
In a fascinating tale of art, medicine, and philanthropy, the most expensive artwork created by India’s renowned artist MF Husain, ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’, has found a new home in an Oslo hospital. The painting, which fetched a staggering ₹118 crore at a Christie’s auction, has a rich history that spans over six decades. From being bought by a Norway-based surgeon in 1954 to being donated to the hospital in 1964, the journey of ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’ is a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together.
The story begins in 1954, when Dr. LE Volodarsky, a Norway-based surgeon, bought the painting directly from MF Husain. At that time, Volodarsky was working in India, and his love for Indian art and culture led him to acquire the painting, which was created by Husain in 1953. The painting, a vibrant depiction of rural life in India, was part of Husain’s ‘Gram Yatra’ series, which explored the beauty and simplicity of rural India.
Volodarsky was so enamored with the painting that he decided to keep it with him even after he returned to Norway. However, as his priorities shifted towards his medical career, he began to look for a new home for the painting. In 1964, he donated ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’ to the Oslo University Hospital, where it was exhibited in a private corridor.
The hospital became the painting’s new home, and it remained there for over five decades, serving as a symbol of the connection between art and medicine. The hospital’s staff and patients would often pass by the painting, and it is said that the artwork brought a sense of calm and serenity to the hospital corridors.
In recent years, the Oslo University Hospital decided to put the painting up for auction at Christie’s, with the proceeds going towards the hospital’s art therapy program. The auction took place in May 2022, and ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’ fetched a staggering ₹118 crore, making it India’s most expensive artwork. The buyer, a private collector, chose to remain anonymous.
The sale of ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’ has sparked a renewed interest in MF Husain’s work, and art enthusiasts from around the world are eager to learn more about the artist’s life and career. Born in 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Husain was a self-taught artist who began his career in the 1940s. He went on to become one of India’s most celebrated artists, known for his bold and vibrant depictions of Indian mythology, history, and culture.
Husain’s work was not limited to paintings; he was also a prolific filmmaker, writer, and musician. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1973 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1989 for his contributions to Indian art.
The story of ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’ is a testament to the power of art to bring people together and transcend borders. From its creation in 1953 to its sale at Christie’s in 2022, the painting has traveled from India to Norway and back again, touching the hearts and minds of people from different cultures and backgrounds.
As the painting now finds a new home in a private collection, it is a reminder of the enduring power of art to inspire and uplift us. Whether in a hospital corridor or a private gallery, ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’ remains a symbol of the beauty and simplicity of rural India, and a testament to the enduring legacy of MF Husain.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/m-f-husain-painting-9903618/lite/
