Srinagar, Apr 2 (JKNS): Eminent Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma’s oil painting Yashoda and Krishna was sold for a record Rs 167.20 crore (USD 17,978,495) at Saffronart’s Spring Live Auction in Mumbai on Wednesday, becoming the highest-value work of modern Indian art ever sold at an auction.
As per news agency JKNS, The sale surpasses the previous record held by MF Husain’s Untitled (Gram Yatra), which fetched over Rs 118 crore at auction last year.
The iconic Varma painting, originally estimated at Rs 80-120 crore, was acquired by Dr. Cyrus S Poonawalla, managing director of the Serum Institute of India. Speaking about the acquisition, Poonawalla said, “I am privileged to have the opportunity to acquire, preserve, and care for the iconic Raja Ravi Varma painting Yashoda and Krishna. This national treasure deserves to be made available for public viewing periodically, and it will be my endeavour to facilitate this going forward.”
Painted in the 1890s, the artwork depicts a nuanced portrayal of maternal love through the mythological figures of the infant Lord Krishna and his foster mother, Yashoda. In the painting, Yashoda is seen milking a cow while Krishna reaches for a goblet of milk from behind, transforming a domestic moment into a sacred narrative that draws the viewer into the scene.
“It is a remarkable composition and one of Varma’s most evocative works,” experts noted.
Minal Vazirani, president and co-founder of Saffronart, said, “Great art has a way of reaffirming its timeless value. The record-breaking sale of Raja Ravi Varma’s work not only underscores the strength of the art market but also sets a new benchmark as the highest-value work of Indian art ever sold. This landmark moment is a powerful reminder of the enduring cultural and emotional resonance of Indian art.” (JKNS)
