How did India’s most expensive artwork, by MF Husain, reach a Norway hospital?
In a peculiar turn of events, India’s most expensive artwork, “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” by the renowned artist MF Husain, has been sold at a Christie’s auction by Oslo University Hospital in Norway. The painting, which fetched a staggering ₹118 crore, has an intriguing backstory that dates back to the 1950s. In this blog post, we will unravel the mystery behind how this masterpiece ended up in a Norwegian hospital.
The story begins in 1954 when a Norway-based surgeon, LE Volodarsky, purchased the painting from Husain himself. At that time, Volodarsky was a young doctor who had moved to India for medical training. He was an art enthusiast and had developed a deep appreciation for Indian culture and art. Husain, who was already an established artist, was impressed by Volodarsky’s passion for art and sold him the painting.
For the next decade, Volodarsky kept the painting in his Oslo home, admiring its beauty and significance. However, in 1964, he decided to donate the painting to Oslo University Hospital, where he worked as a surgeon. The hospital, which was looking to enhance its cultural offerings, was overjoyed to receive such a valuable piece of art.
The hospital exhibited the painting in a private corridor, where it remained for several decades, unseen by the general public. The hospital staff and patients would often catch glimpses of the painting as they walked by, but it was not until recently that the true value of the artwork became apparent.
Fast forward to 2021, when Christie’s auction house announced that it would be selling a collection of Indian art, including Husain’s “Untitled (Gram Yatra)”. The auction was held in New York, and the painting was expected to fetch a significant sum. However, no one could have predicted that it would reach a staggering ₹118 crore, making it India’s most expensive artwork.
So, how did a painting that was once part of a Norwegian surgeon’s personal collection end up being sold at a Christie’s auction by Oslo University Hospital? The answer lies in the hospital’s decision to sell the painting as part of its efforts to raise funds for its art program.
In recent years, the hospital has been working to create a more holistic environment for its patients and staff. Art therapy has been recognized as a powerful tool in the healing process, and the hospital has been actively seeking to incorporate more art into its facilities. The sale of the Husain painting was seen as a unique opportunity to raise funds for this initiative.
The hospital’s decision to sell the painting was met with both surprise and excitement. Art enthusiasts and collectors around the world were eager to get their hands on the painting, and the bidding war that ensued was intense. In the end, the painting was sold to an anonymous buyer, but the hospital has not revealed the identity of the new owner.
The sale of “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” has sparked a renewed interest in MF Husain’s work, and the painting’s journey from a Norwegian surgeon’s home to a hospital corridor is a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and cultures. As we reflect on this incredible story, we are reminded of the importance of preserving and promoting Indian art, both at home and abroad.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/m-f-husain-painting-9903618/lite/
