Tyeb Mehta’s ‘Trussed Bull’ Fetches ₹61.8 Crore, Marks New Personal Auction Record

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Renowned Indian modernist Tyeb Mehta’s 1956 painting Trussed Bull has set a new world record for the late artist, selling for ₹61.8 crore at a SaffronArt auction. The landmark sale, held on Wednesday as part of the auction house’s 25th anniversary celebrations, comes in Mehta’s birth centenary year.

The painting, an oil on canvas measuring 37” x 41.5”, belonged to the Tyeb Mehta Foundation and was auctioned by his wife, Sakina Mehta. The sale contributed to a historic two-day auction that set a world record for the highest-value sale of South Asian art at an auction, with total sales reaching ₹245 crore ($29 million).

Breaking Records in the Art Market

SaffronArt’s sale surpassed the recent Christie’s South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art auction, where an M.F. Husain painting fetched ₹118 crore—the highest price ever achieved for a modern Indian artwork at a public auction. Christie’s total auction value on March 19 stood at ₹212.10 crore ($24.86 million).

With this sale, Trussed Bull now stands alongside Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller (1937) as one of the most expensive works by an Indian artist ever sold at auction. The auction saw all lots sold, marking a “white glove” sale.

Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and co-founder of SaffronArt, highlighted the significance of these record-breaking sales, stating:

“The recent auctions show a structural shift in the Indian art market. Strong institutions and collectors are now buying Indian artists, reducing speculation and increasing price thresholds—both positive signs for the industry.”

Growing Value of Indian Art

According to Artery India’s Artist Tracking Report on Tyeb Mehta, the artist’s market value has seen a strong upward trajectory, with a total turnover of ₹971.4 crore from 290 works sold. Notably, Mehta’s auction record has been breached three times in the past 36 months, reflecting the rising demand for his work.

Other Notable Sales

Several other important artworks were featured in the auction, achieving impressive prices:

• Amrita Sher-Gil’s Still Life with Green Bottles and Apples (1932): Sold for ₹24 crore ($2.82 million). The rarity of Sher-Gil’s still-life paintings made this sale particularly significant.
• F.N. Souza’s Supper at Emmaus (1987): Fetched ₹15.3 crore ($1.8 million). The painting reinterprets Caravaggio’s 17th-century masterpiece and is part of Souza’s Biblical series from the 1980s.
• Edwin Lord Weeks’ Lake at Oodeypore, India (Circa 1893): Sold for ₹12 crore ($1.41 million).
• Sakti Burman’s Durga (1995): Sold for ₹7.2 crore ($847,059).

A Landmark Moment for Indian Art

With global price records set for seven Indian artists, including contemporary figures like Nalini Malani and early 20th-century painters like Hemendranath Mazumdar, this auction reaffirmed the growing international recognition of Indian art.

As collectors and institutions continue to invest in Indian modernists, these record-breaking sales mark an important milestone for the country’s art market, further solidifying its place on the global stage.

Sources By Agencies