AstaGuru, established in 2008 in Mumbai, is a prominent online auction house in India specialising in art, antiques, and luxury products. Their impressive offerings include Modern Indian and Contemporary art, jewellery, fine silver, time pieces, textiles, celebrity memorabilia, rare books, numismatic items, philately, and vintage cars, appealing to art collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Over the years, AstaGuru has earned a reputation as a reliable destination for authentic artworks and collectibles, achieving record-breaking prices for masterpieces by renowned artists such as A. Ramachandran, Jeram Patel, António Xavier Trindade, M F Husain, Manjit Bawa, Ramkinkar Baij, Nandalal Bose, Ganesh Pyne, K Laxma Goud, Meera Mukherjee, Badri Narayan, Paritosh Sen, and H A Gade.
Recently, the esteemed establishment hosted a highly anticipated auction titled ‘Masterpieces and Editions’ on July 20-21, 2023. The event showcased an array of works by global masters from various periods of modern art, unveiling exceptional pieces by legendary artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Bernard Buffet, Marc Chagall, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, and pop art icon Andy Warhol.
“The exquisite selection presents a captivating glimpse into the evolution of modern art, spanning from the influential movements of the early 20th century to the present times. It is an extraordinary opportunity for art collectors to acquire works from a remarkable selection of global masterpieces,” said Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President, Client Relations at AstaGuru. She also emphasised the significance of the auction’s focus on works by French artists, as France emerged as a melting pot of modern art and significantly shaped the course of global art history.
Lot no. 3
Artist- Pablo Picasso
Origin– Spain
Title- Nu Couché
Description– The figurative work was executed with a pencil on paper in 1969. It was also published in a book titled ‘Pablo Picasso’ by C. Zervos in 1976.Price- INR 3,94,25,000 – 4,98,00,000
Lot no. 10
Artist- Salvador Dalí
Origin– Spain
Title- Horse Saddled with Time
Description– It is the first from a limited edition of eight. Executed with bronze in 1980, this work blends two significant themes recurrent in Salvador Dalí’s career: horses and clocks. The motif of the melted clock, embodying the passage of time, is synonymous with Dalí’s 1931 painting, ‘The Persistence of Memory,’ considered one of the most important works in the history of Surrealism.
Price- INR 3,68,52,000 – 4,98,00,000
Lot no. 14
Artist- Bernard Buffet
Origin– France
Title- Tête De Femme
Description– It was executed in 1958 with coloured crayons on paper.
Price- INR 55,27,800 – 66,40,000
Lot no. 26
Artist- David Hockney
Origin- Great Britain
Title- My Pool And Terrace (From eight by eight to celebrate the temporary contemporary) (Ed: AP + 250)
Description- A work created in 1983 by one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.
Price- INR 18, 46, 200 – 21,58,000
Lot no. 11
Artist- Joan Miró
Origin– Spain
Title- L’oustachi (Ed : 41/50)
Description– Executed in 1978.
Price- INR 18,46,200 – 21,58,000