It has been a trend to have either a Vasudep Gaitonde Canvas (from the 1960’s and beyond) or a Tyeb Mehta canvas (from the 1980s) as auction catalog covers.

This autumn a new trend appears , it appears auction houses are now highlighting (as cover lots) works from earlier – from the late 19th century. They seem to have gone back in history almost a hundred years !!!

AstaGuru Has Gone With A Ravi Varma In Its October Auction

c 1890, Estimate 1.5-2 crores, 23 x 20 inches

A Ravi Varma Is Also The Cover At Pundoles November Auction

In their last auction , a post-card ,c1920 , from Abanindranath Tagore to Gaganendranath Tagore, was the back cover.

DAG Went With Early Bengal In Its Autumn Auction

Early Bengal Oil on Canvas, Late 19th Century

Sothebys Highlights a Ganesh Pyne In Their Online Platform

Ganesh Pyne – Under the Fountain, 1969, Estimate 40,000-60,000 GBP. I believe their catalogue cover lot is a Souza.

Christies December Sale ?

This invariably puts a lot of pressure on Christies. They have to get either a superb Ravi Varma or an Amrita Sher-gil (and nothing less) for some “shock and awe” effect in the auction catalogue cover!

Indrajit Chatterjee