Art News. Vasari Codex

trending_up market schedule Oct 7, 2025 source 2 sources visibility 25 link 15 artists, 1 gallery

The extraordinary boom in modern Indian art

Despite a general art market downturn, modern Indian art auctions have seen extraordinary demand. Over the past two weeks, sales at Christie’s in New York, Saffron Art in New Delhi, Pundole’s in Mumbai, and Sotheby’s in London all sold out. Sotheby’s London sale raised £19 million, more than five times its estimate, led by record-breaking works from Francis Newton Souza, including *Houses in Hampstead* (1962) sold for £5.6 million and *Emperor* (1957) sold for £5.2 million. The article traces Souza’s rebellious career, from his expulsion from school in Mumbai for pornographic graffiti, to his founding role in the Progressive Artists’ Group, his struggles in England and the US, and his eventual death in 2002 with little recognition.

newspaper The Telegraph open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Oct 6, 2025 source 2 sources visibility 20 link 11 artists, 1 gallery

Record sales and a tax break close out blockbuster year for South Asian Modern market

Two record-breaking auctions closed a blockbuster year for the South Asian Modern art market. On 27 September, Saffronart in New Delhi sold 85 lots for $40.2 million—the largest single sale ever in South Asia—while on 29 September, Sotheby’s in New York sold 54 lots for $25.5 million, a record total for South Asian art in the West. These followed Christie’s March sale of M.F. Husain’s mural *Gram Yatra* (1954) for $13.7 million, the highest price ever for an Indian painting. India also enacted a major tax reform, cutting the Goods and Service Tax (GST) on art from 12% to 5%, further stimulating the market.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 1, 2026 visibility 20 link 11 artists, 1 gallery

Big prices, bigger confidence: Inside Indian art’s breakout era

The Indian art market is experiencing a significant boom, characterized by record-breaking auction prices for established masters like SH Raza and MF Husain, and growing international visibility for contemporary artists at biennales and fairs. A new generation of high-net-worth collectors is driving this growth, building collections with greater intent, knowledge, and personal connection rather than pure speculation.

newspaper The Times of India open_in_new Read original