AstaGuru Auction House’s recently concluded Historic Masterpieces auction delivered exceptional results, achieving a coveted white-glove sale with a 100% sell-through rate. All 87 lots were sold, generating an impressive total value of INR 1,63,65,61,028 (US $18,492,215)—a significant milestone in the modern Indian art market.
World Records for Modern Indian Masters
The auction established new world records for several leading modern Indian artists, including Rabindranath Tagore, Krishen Khanna, Sadanand K Bakre, and Walter Langhammer—underscoring the depth of collector confidence and the strength of curatorial selection.
AstaGuru on Curatorial Excellence and Market Confidence
Commenting on the results, Manoj Mansukhani, Director – Marketing at AstaGuru Auction House, said:
“AstaGuru is thrilled and proud of the exceptional outcome of its Historic Masterpieces auction. The results reflect our curatorial excellence in presenting rare and significant works within the modern Indian art market. Featuring landmark works—many appearing at auction for the first time—the strong collector response reaffirms the growing appetite for modernist works distinguished by exceptional provenance. These achievements underscore AstaGuru’s commitment to showcasing the finest examples of Indian modernism.”
Record-Breaking Highlights from the Auction
AstaGuru’s Historic Masterpieces auction witnessed landmark prices that reshaped benchmarks for modern Indian art. Masterworks by Rabindranath Tagore, Krishen Khanna, Sadanand Bakre, and Walter Langhammer achieved new world records.
Each sale reflected exceptional provenance, rarity, and sustained collector confidence in Indian modernism.
Rabindranath Tagore’s From Across the Dark
Tagore’s evocative late-period masterpiece From Across the Dark achieved a historic sale of INR 10,73,55,551, marking the highest price ever realised for a Tagore artwork at auction.
Painted in June 1937 during the artist’s final and creatively sustained stay in Almora, the work reflects the psychological depth and atmospheric intensity of his later years. A solitary seated figure and a reaching presence emerging from darkness convey themes of solitude, memory, and introspection shaped by age and personal loss.
Krishen Khanna’s The Last Supper
Krishen Khanna’s powerful interpretation of the biblical scene The Last Supper was acquired for INR 10,22,43,382. Reimagined through Khanna’s distinct humanist and expressionist lens, the painting bridges Western iconography with deeply personal emotional resonance.
Walter Langhammer’s Record Coastal Panorama
A luminous coastal panorama depicting old Bombay by Walter Langhammer set a new benchmark for the artist, selling for INR 56,96,248—the highest price achieved for a Langhammer work to date.
Sadanand Bakre’s Rare Figurative Work
A world record was also established for Sadanand Bakre with Monalisa selling for INR 2,30,73,603. Executed in 1961, this rare figurative painting holds a distinctive place within Bakre’s largely abstract and landscape-driven practice.
A Stellar Line-Up of Modern Indian Artists
Beyond record-setting lots, the auction featured significant works by leading modern Indian masters including Manjit Bawa, J Swaminathan, F N Souza, Jamini Roy, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Somnath Hore, Ram Kumar, K H Ara, Himmat Shah, Ganesh Pyne, among others—offering collectors a rare cross-section of India’s modernist legacy.
Auction Dates and Market Impact
The Historic Masterpieces auction was held between 14–17 December 2025, reinforcing AstaGuru’s position as a key institution shaping the modern Indian art market. A detailed analysis of the auction results is available on the official AstaGuru website.
Takeaway
With its 100% sell-through rate, multiple world records, and strong collector participation, AstaGuru’s Historic Masterpieces auction stands as a defining moment for modern Indian art. The results signal not only market confidence but also a renewed appreciation for historically significant works that continue to shape India’s artistic narrative.
