A rare picture of Mahatma Gandhi will soon be for sale in London.
In 1931, Gandhi’s painting, a social reformist and a prominent leader of the India’s movement for freedom, has been slaughtered to be auctioned from 7 July to 15 July.
According to the auction house and the family of British-American artist Claire Leiton, who made paintings, it is believed that this is considered the only oil painting Gandhi.
“Not only this is a rare work by Clair Leiton, mainly known for its wood engraving, it is also considered the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi, for which he was sitting,” the news agency AFP Renon Damri, Bonhms’ Head of Sale of Travel and Exploration, as stated.
Casper Leiton, the great nephew of the artist, called the painting a “potentially hidden treasure”, AFP Informed
Gandhi Picture Price
For the first time the next month, painting is estimated to be sold between £ 50,000 and £ 70,000 ($ 68,000 and $ 95,000).
Demonstrates first
It was displayed in London in November 1931. The only recorded public performance of the painting was in 1978 at the Boston Public Library Exhibition of Claire Leon’s work.
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After Clair’s death, the artwork went to Casper’s father and then to him. Kasper said, “My family has a story but the story is very high in this picture.” He said, “I think it would be great if it is seen by more people. Maybe it should go back to India – maybe it is its real home,” he said.
Gandhi-Clair Association
It was in 1931 when Claire Leon met Gandhi, who was at the time to consult with the British government about India’s political future in London.
Claire, who was part of London’s leftist artistic circles, was introduced by Gandhi’s partner Henry Noel Bralesford. Kasper said, “I think there was a part of a clear part of the artistic intellectual intellectual courtship,” Kasper said, his great aunt shared “spirit of social justice” with Gandhi.
Painting attacked and restored
According to Leton’s family, the picture was attacked with a knife by a “Hindu extremist” in the early 1970s. Even when the attack is not documented anywhere, a label behind the painting confirms its restoration in the United States in 1974.
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Casting UV lights on painting, Damri showed a deep gesture on Gandhi’s face. This is the place where the painting was now damaged, Damri said. “It feels very deliberately,” he said.
Restoration “Add to the value of the picture in a sense … in its place in history, that Gandhi was again attacked several decades after his death”, AFP Said to Kasper.
– With input from AFP
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