Modern Masterpieces Highlights From The Upcoming ‘Masters-Legacy’-Auction at Indian Auction House AstaGuru

20th century India bore witness to some of the most influential and dynamic artists who would go on to shape Modern Indian Art and inspire generations of artists to come. During this century, India also achieved independence resulting in intense transformation. Several artists of the time looked to creating an independent voice that was fiercely Indian while also creating an impact globally. This resulted in many innovative artists who left enduring legacies that remain relevant to this day. AstaGuru's upcoming Modern Indian Art auction - ‘Masters Legacy’ - will showcase works by eminent modernists who changed the face of art in India.

The Hut by Nicholas Roerich

Nicholas Roerich’s painting titled ‘The Hut’ was executed while he was living in London. The painting then became part of his friend Arkady Roumanov’s collection. He was a revered journalist, writer and the chief editor of Russkoye Slovo, a popular newspaper during the Tsarist era. Arkady Roumanov was forced to leave behind his monumental art collection including over 20 Roerich works, when he emigrated to England during the violent Bolshevik campaign in Russia. This particular work executed in oil and tempera on canvas was likely inspired by Roerich’s time as a set designer for the play Peer Gynt for which he created similar structures.

Le Village by S.H. Raza

The year of the painting’s creation was of great importance, considering S.H. Raza had won the ‘Prix de la Critique d’Art’ award the very same year. The presented landscape from the year 1956 showcases a row of houses, depicted with an eschewed approach. The rooftops of the structure colliding with each other, imparting a certain degree of pictorial conflict. Evidently, the artist had painstakingly achieved the feat of infusing his inner vision on the canvas.

Untitled by M.F. Husain



Husain was taken by the imagery of horses very early on in life, witnessing the tazias taken out during Muharram processions. Later, he travelled around the world seeing various horse iconography in different cultures including horse pottery by the Song dynasty in China and European artists such as Marino Marini. This would lead to him rendering powerful galloping horses, such as the presented lot executed in acrylic on canvas. These horses served as symbols of grace and freedom and expressed both personal and universal emotions.

Landscape by F.N. Souza



Executed in 1962, the oil on board work titled ‘Landscape’ is a stunning example of the impressive landscapes Souza created in the 1960s. At the time of this painting’s creation, Souza resided in London and created spontaneous and dynamic landscapes that leaned towards abstraction. In this work one can trace the sporadic brushwork painted with dark outlines and cross-hatch, on the basis of which the architectural structures were composed. Hereby establishing the image purely based on the colour and textural contexts.

Bewitching Black by Prabhakar Barwe



The presented mixed media on canvas work was executed in 1968, after Prabhakar Barwe’s return from the Varanasi wing of the Weavers’ Service Centre. He resided in Varanasi from 1961-1965 working with weavers and artisans to create textile designs. In Varanasi, he not only nurtured his creativity with other artists associated with the centre but also discovered his love for Tantric philosophy. This particular lot is evidence of his preoccupation with the abstract, geometric shapes seen in his neo-Tantra works and the usage of mixed media influenced by the Pop Art movement.

Paradoxa by M.F. Husain



The presented lot was executed circa 1970, in oil on canvas. The painting showcases Husain’s preoccupation with religious themes and depicts his take on Christian iconography. His signature styles lend to his interpretation of Biblical imagery and the painting is evidence of the artist’s command over amalgamating various themes to evoke emotion from his audience.

Paysage by S.H. Raza



S.H. Raza executed this in oil on paper laid on board in 1957. Raza’s landscapes and cityscapes in the 1940s were well known for being technically impeccable, however the artist felt like his works lacked contextual impetus triggers. In 1940, he travelled to France for a scholarship that led to him transforming his works by refining his artistic temperament and further defining his style.

Man-18th by Rameshawar Broota



The presented lot, executed in oil on canvas scraped with blade in 1983, belongs to Rameshwar Broota’s famed ‘Man’ series. The time at which this painting was executed was when the artist had perfected the idiom. The Man is seen in a contemplative pose, facing away from the viewer’s gaze. This was also the time that Broota introduced geometric forms into the series as well, replacing the previous voids. The architectural elements provide perspective and dimension to the works and are in stark contrast to the fragility of the human body in the fore. The painting is important as it showcases the epitome of the Man series, signifying the artist reaching the pinnacle of what he was trying to achieve since its inception.

AstaGuru’s ‘Masters Legacy' Modern Indian Art auctions offers a chance to acquire unique masterpieces by some of the most eminent masters of Modern Indian Art like M.V. Dhurandhar, Nicholas Roerich, M.F. Husain, Jamini Roy, S.H. Raza, F.N. Souza, K.H. Ara, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Ganesh Pyne, Krishen Khanna, Rameshwar Broota. The collection of 40 works offer an in-depth look into the varied oeuvres of artists that changed the face of Modern Indian Art.

The auction is scheduled to be held on April 29-30, 2023.