9th June, 2012

KOLKATA: Leading auctioneer Saffronart will showcase an important selection of works by modern masters and contemporary artists at its annual Summer Art Auction 2012.

The auction will feature a total of 70 lots, by 34 pre-eminent modern and contemporary Indian artists. The sale will take place on June 19-20, 2012.

This year's auction includes a collection of major modern paintings by top artists including VS Gaitonde, MF Husain, SH Raza and Ganesh Pyne, and also features a selection of contemporary Indian art, led by Bharti Kher, Surendran Nair, Subodh Gupta and Jitish Kallat, among others.

The auction has a total estimate of Rs 15.90 crore ($3.1 million) to Rs 20.75 crore ($3.9 million). Featured on the front cover of this auction catalogue is an untitled canvas, executed in 1971 by the reclusive modern master, VS Gaitonde.

Another highlight is SH Raza's 'Encountre', painted in 1985, and estimated at Rs 2,00,00,000-2,50,00,000 ($370,375-462,965). Among the contemporary lots is Subodh Gupta's 'Untitled' (2007) and Bharti Kher's 2010 work 'Indra's net mirror 8'.

Commenting on the auction, Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and cofounder of Saffronart said: "We are offering major canvases by Gaitonde, Raza, Husain and Pyne to important works on paper by Tyeb Mehta , Somnath Hore, FN Souza and KG Subramanyan.

The collection is rounded out with contemporary works by Subodh Gupta, Jitish Kallat, Bharti Kher and Surendran Nair. Given their quality and provenance, we hope to see competitive bidding from both established collectors and younger buyers.

Saffronart's summer auction will be accompanied by print and online catalogues, as well as preview events and private viewings in New Delhi, Mumbai and London.

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