Manjit Bawa, Husain, Raza in Bonhams London auction

"Life" an oil painting by Manjit Bawa executed during the late artist's stay in London in the late 1960s is coming up for auction in UK next month with an estimate of Rs 2 to Rs 3 million.
The oil-on-board painting, scheduled to be auctioned on April 8 by Bonhams at its Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art sale has been sourced from a private collection, which acquired it directly from Bawa.
The catalogue for the upcoming auction describes the provenance of the painting.
"When Bawa first arrived in London he had nowhere to stay. One day, by sheer coincidence, he found himself speaking to someone who shared his last name. Due to this surprising revelation, the artist was invited to stay with his new friend, and the two Bawas ended up living together for a few years," the auctioneers said.

The "Life" painting was gifted to his host by the artist before his departure from London.
Meanwhile, also up for sale are two pictures by M F Husain, one of which is the top lot in the sale. The 1978 oil on canvas painting "Untitled (Horses)" is estimated to fetch Rs 17 million to Rs 25 million, auctioneers said.

After a visit to China in 1952, Husain studied the art of the Sung Dynasty and the significant depiction of horses by Xu Beijing, celebrated Chinese artist.
"In its early stages, Husain's style was very much influenced by Chinese style, but as his talents progressed, by the 1970s his work had developed a more impressionistic bend," auctioneers said.

"Smriti (Secret Memory)" by Hemen Mazumdar, estimated to fetch between Rs 2 million to Rs 3 million and pegged by the auctioneers as a very rare published work is also listed in the upcoming sale.
The painting which was awarded a gold medal in 1921 by the Bombay Art Society in their annual exhibition was previously in the collection of eminent modern artist Nandalal Bose.
Also on offer is "Untitled (Parisian Landscape)" by Syed Haider Raza, estimated between Rs 2 million to Rs 2.5 million.
Raza who was based in Paris at the beginning of his career in the 1950s was inspired by the landscape and colours of nightfall in France.

"The influence of the greats of Impressionism, such as Cezanne, Manet, and Pissaro, can clearly be seen in his works, including the piece in this sale," the auctioneers said.