Raja Ravi Varma Painting Becomes Most Expensive Indian Artwork
A 19th-century painting just made history. Raja Ravi Varma created this iconic piece. The artwork is titled “Yashoda and Krishna.” It sold for 1.67 billion rupees. That equals $17.9 million (£13.6 million). Saffronart hosted the auction in Delhi on Wednesday.
A Historic Auction Record
As a result, this sale sets a new auction record. It now beats MF Husain’s “Untitled (Gram Yatra).” That piece fetched $13.8 million last year. Therefore, demand for Indian and South Asian art is rising. Collectors are pushing prices to new highs.
This is Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Varma was born in 1848. His birthplace is now Kerala, a southern state in India. Many consider him a pioneer of modern Indian painting. He is also one of the most influential artists from the subcontinent.
A “National Treasure” Finds a Buyer
A billionaire businessman bought the painting. His name is Cyrus Poonawalla. He runs the Serum Institute of India. This company is one of the world’s largest vaccine producers.
Poonawalla called the work a “national treasure.” He added that it deserves public viewing periodically. “It will be my endeavour to facilitate this,” he said. However, the painting cannot leave India. The government classifies Varma’s works as “art treasure.” Therefore, only Indian buyers can purchase them. Exporting them is illegal.
