How did India’s most expensive artwork, by MF Husain, reach a Norway hospital?
In a fascinating tale of art, philanthropy, and serendipity, India’s most expensive artwork, “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” by the legendary artist MF Husain, has found a new home in an Oslo hospital. The painting, which fetched a staggering ₹118 crore at a Christie’s auction, has an intriguing history that spans decades and continents. In this blog post, we will delve into the story of how this masterpiece of Indian art ended up in a Norwegian hospital.
The story begins in the 1950s when MF Husain, one of India’s most celebrated artists, was still a relatively unknown figure in the Indian art scene. In 1954, a Norwegian surgeon named LE Volodarsky, who was working in India at the time, became acquainted with Husain. Volodarsky, who was impressed by Husain’s work, purchased the painting “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” directly from the artist for his Oslo home.
Over the next decade, Volodarsky and Husain maintained a close friendship, with the artist regularly visiting the surgeon in Oslo. During one of these visits, Volodarsky was deeply moved by Husain’s passion for his art and his desire to share it with the world. In 1964, Volodarsky made the decision to donate the painting to the Oslo University Hospital, where he was a surgeon.
The hospital, which was struggling to find a suitable location for the painting, decided to exhibit it in a private corridor, where it remained for many years. The painting became a beloved fixture in the hospital, with patients and staff alike admiring its beauty and significance.
Fast forward to 2022, when the painting was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York for a staggering ₹118 crore, setting a new record for the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold. The buyer, a anonymous collector, had no connection to the painting’s past or its current location. It was only later, when the news of the sale became public, that the hospital staff discovered the painting’s remarkable history.
The sale of the painting has sparked a renewed interest in Husain’s work and his legacy as one of India’s most important artists. Husain, who passed away in 2011, was a pioneer of Indian modern art, known for his vibrant and expressive paintings that blended traditional Indian motifs with Western styles.
The story of “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” has also highlighted the importance of philanthropy and the role that art can play in bringing people together across cultures and borders. Volodarsky’s decision to donate the painting to the hospital, and the hospital’s decision to exhibit it in a private corridor, demonstrate the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together.
As the painting now finds a new home in a Norwegian hospital, it serves as a reminder of the global reach and impact of Indian art. The story of “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” is a testament to the enduring power of art to connect people across cultures and borders, and to the importance of preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of our world.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/m-f-husain-painting-9903618/lite/
