Latest news with #ClareLeighton
Mint
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Gandhi's only known oil portrait, painted during 1931 London visit, sells for over ₹1.75 crore at Bonhams auction
A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted in 1931 during his historic visit to London, has been sold for £152,800 (approximately ₹ 1.75 crore) at a Bonhams auction — more than double its estimated price of £50,000 to £70,000. The painting, created by British artist Clare Leighton, is believed to be the only oil portrait for which Gandhi personally sat. According to Bonhams, it had never before been offered at auction and was the top lot in the "Travel and Exploration" sale held online between July 7 and 15. The portrait was completed during Gandhi's attendance at the Second Round Table Conference in London, where he represented the Indian National Congress to discuss constitutional reforms for India. The artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi by political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, a known supporter of the Indian independence movement. The artwork remained in Leighton's personal collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed on to her family. The portrait carries a complex history; Leighton's family recalled that it may have been attacked with a knife by an RSS activist during a public exhibition in 1974. Documentation attached to the frame confirms the painting was restored that same year by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory. This is not the first time a portrait of Gandhi has fetched a significant price at auction. In 2017, a rare pencil portrait of Gandhi sold for £32,500 — roughly four times its estimated value.
Mint
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Gandhi's only known oil portrait, painted during 1931 London visit, sells for over ₹1.75 crore at Bonhams auction
A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted in 1931 during his historic visit to London, has been sold for £152,800 (approximately ₹ 1.75 crore) at a Bonhams auction — more than double its estimated price of £50,000 to £70,000. The painting, created by British artist Clare Leighton, is believed to be the only oil portrait for which Gandhi personally sat. According to Bonhams, it had never before been offered at auction and was the top lot in the "Travel and Exploration" sale held online between July 7 and 15. The portrait was completed during Gandhi's attendance at the Second Round Table Conference in London, where he represented the Indian National Congress to discuss constitutional reforms for India. The artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi by political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, a known supporter of the Indian independence movement. The artwork remained in Leighton's personal collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed on to her family. The portrait carries a complex history; Leighton's family recalled that it may have been attacked with a knife by an RSS activist during a public exhibition in 1974. Documentation attached to the frame confirms the painting was restored that same year by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory. This is not the first time a portrait of Gandhi has fetched a significant price at auction. In 2017, a rare pencil portrait of Gandhi sold for £32,500 — roughly four times its estimated value. The sale highlights both the historical and symbolic value of rare visual representations of Gandhi, particularly those created during critical moments in India's struggle for independence.
Kuwait Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Rare Gandhi portrait smashes estimate to sell for nearly £153,000
Caspar Leighton, great-nephew of British-American artist Clare Leighton, poses with an oil painting by his great-aunt, of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, at Bonhams auction house in London on June 9, 2025. --AFP A rare painting of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only oil portrait that the Indian independence leader ever sat for, has sold at auction in the UK for £152,800 ($205,000). The 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton fetched more than twice the estimated price when the auction closed on Tuesday in London, Bonhams auction house has revealed. Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction,' said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams' head of sale. She added the painting 'was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history'. Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. The portrait was created in London -- at a crucial time for India's independence struggle -- and remained in Leighton's collection until her death in 1989. It was then passed down through her family, according to Bonhams. No details were provided about the buyer —AFP
The Star
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Rare Gandhi portrait smashes estimate to sell for nearly RM869,000
Caspar Leighton, great-nephew of Clare Leighton, poses at Bonhams in London with his great-aunt's oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi. Photo: AFP A rare painting of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only oil portrait that the Indian independence leader ever sat for, has sold at auction in Britain for £152,800 (approximately RM869,000). The 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton fetched more than twice the estimated price when the auction closed on Tuesday in London, Bonhams auction house has revealed. "Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams' head of sale. She added the painting "was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history". Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. The portrait was created in London - at a crucial time for India's independence struggle - and remained in Leighton's collection until her death in 1989. It was then passed down through her family, according to Bonhams. No details were provided about the buyer. - AFP
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Straits Times
Rare Gandhi portrait smashes estimate to sell for nearly $264,000
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Mr Caspar Leighton poses with an oil painting by his great-aunt, the artist Clare Leighton, of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. LONDON – A rare painting of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only oil portrait that the Indian independence leader ever sat for, has sold at auction in Britain for £152,800 (S$264,000). The 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton fetched more than twice the estimated price when the auction closed on July 15 in London, Bonhams auction house has revealed. 'Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction,' said Ms Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams' head of sale. She added the painting 'was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history'. Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. The portrait was created in London – at a crucial time for India's independence struggle – and remained in Leighton's collection until her death in 1989. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Singapore Prison Service debunks online claims that it launched 'the world's first floating prison' Singapore Jail for elderly man for using knife to slash neighbour, who later died of heart disease Opinion Grab tried to disrupt taxis. It now wants to save them It was then passed down through her family, according to Bonhams. No details were provided about the buyer. AFP
