One of the Greatest Works by Indian Artist
Sayed Haider Raza
Ever to Appear on the Market
Created During the 1950s
To be offered at Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art Sale
19 March 2018
To be exhibited at The Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi
22-23 February 2018
5 February 2018: Hidden from public view for years, Ville Provenҫale is one of the greatest and largest works by Indian artist Sayed Haider Raza to ever appear on the market. This painting was made in 1956 while Raza was living in France – an incredibly formative period for the artist. Distinguished by its vivid colours, this seminal work displays a semi-abstracted view of a town in rural Provence. Raza was amongst only five artists to represent India at the Venice Biennale, where Ville Provençale was displayed in 1956, before it was secreted away into private collections for many decades. A testament to the enduring legacy of one of the foremost pioneers of Indian Modern Art, Ville Provenҫale will be offered as the star lot of Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art Sale in New York on 19 March. The work will be exhibited as part of a travelling exhibition of highlights from the sale at The Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi from 22-23 February.
Yamini Mehta, International Head of South Asian Art, said: “Ville Provenҫale is a momentous, museum-quality work, which comes to light after being secreted away for most of its life. It is extremely rare for works by S.H. Raza from the 1950s of such size and calibre to come to the market. This painting is a unique hybridisation of Raza’s deep rooted Indian heritage with the post-war modernism that was blossoming in the French art scene. From its illustrious beginnings when painted under the patronage of renowned gallerist Lara Vincy, who was responsible for establishing the artist in the European art market; to its unveiling at the 1956 Venice Biennale, and finally the time spent in a private collection, Ville Provenҫale is a masterpiece.”