Rare Oil Painting of Mahatma Gandhi Auctioned for ₹1.75 Crore

A rare oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi, created by British artist Clare Atwood with Gandhi’s consent, has been sold for £152,800 (approximately ₹1,75,93,086) at an auction, nearly three times its estimated value. The sale took place at Bonhams auction house, drawing significant interest from collectors.

 

The portrait, which had been expected to fetch between £50,000 and £70,000, depicts Gandhi in his trademark white attire, seated in a contemplative pose. Painted in 1931, the artwork was commissioned by a women’s empowerment group during Gandhi’s visit to London for the Round Table Conference.

 

According to historical records, Gandhi had personally approved the artist to paint his likeness. The portrait remained with the commissioning family for decades before being acquired by a private collector in 1989. It was later sold through a London dealer and has now entered a new collection after this record-breaking auction.

 

Experts say the high bid reflects both the rarity of Gandhi’s portraits and the historical significance of the 1931 period in which it was painted—a time when Gandhi was at the forefront of India’s independence movement.

 

The auction house described the painting as an “exceptionally rare example” of Gandhi’s authorized portraits, highlighting its cultural and historical importance.