The Christie’s modern and contemporary Indian art auction to be held Sep 20 in New York will be dominated by the highlights of masters Tyeb Mehta, F.N. Souza and V.S. Gaitonde. It is expected to realise in excess of a conservative $12 million.

While Mehta’s Untitled (Figures with Bull Head) from 1984 is put at $800,000-1,000,000, maverick Francis Newton Souza’s Red Tower with Trees, a work belonging to 1958, is estimated at a hefty $300,000-500,000.

A number of enticing works will unveil at a historic preview that begins in a New Delhi hotel Tuesday evening - recognising the reality of important collectors in India’s capital city.

Christie’s, the world’s leading art auctioneer, set a stellar performance in Spring 2006 season, with sales in New York, Hong Kong and Dubai totalling over $26 million, clearly establishing itself as the unsurpassed market leader.

An impressive series of record prices achieved over the years, combined with a greater presence in India, have made Christie’s one of the world’s most prominent promoters of the importance and universal appeal of 20th and 21st century Indian artists.

As part of Christie’s New York’s Asia Week, the sale of modern and contemporary Indian art will take place on Sep 20 and will offer major works from the collections of Robin Howard, Madame Krishna Riboud, and Mrs. Fanny D. Tata amongst numerous private collections from Europe, US and India. This will include paintings by the major Progressives: Tyeb Mehta, Gaitonde, Souza, Maqbool Fida Husain and Akbar Padamsee.

Posted: 08|22|06 at 3:00 pm. Filed under: US News.