M A I N   N E W S

Buy a Van Gogh or Picasso, that too online
Shiv Kumar/TNS

Mumbai, February 12
For the first time, an Indian auction house will be auctioning works of Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Matisse, Chaggall and Salvador Dali this week.

A Picasso work that will be auctioned by Saffronart.

This is also probably the first time that the 73 works by 35 eminent Western artists estimated at US$ 3.3 million to 4.2 million will be auctioned online on February 15 and 16 by Indian auction house Saffronart, which is Mumbai-based. The works will include original paintings, drawings and sculptures besides limited-edition signed lithographs and etchings and a group of ceramics by Picasso. Christie’s or Sotheby’s in New York and London would normally auction such masterpieces.

Saffronart CEO Dinesh Vazirani told The Tribune that the landmark auction was a reflection of the art world’s growing interest and trust in India and also faith in the auction house.

“Saffronart has acquired a reputation as a respectable house with global reach. Western collectors and dealers are keen to get access to the Indian buyer. The advantage of online auction is that it would allow participation by bidders from anywhere in the world. Also, unlike a physical auction, which typically is over in a few hours, the online auction gives bidders more time to reflect, two days in fact,” said Vazirani.

Using sophisticated technology the auction house allows images of art works to stream into mobiles for bidders on the move.

The transparent online platform allows bidders to login, monitor the sale and bid. Since bidding takes place simultaneously in lots, buyers have the flexibility of bidding for their favourite works at the same time. The site provides comparable prices, high resolution images and other details to help the buyer make up his mind.

Vazirani explained that bidders can also view additional charges to be levied at any point of time in the sale based on the current bid at that point, including buyer’s premium and shipping charges. This feature is also not available in a physical auction.

The auction house carries out due diligence and certifies the authenticity of the work. Bidders are required to register beforehand and are then given the password to access the bidding. The auction will be conducted on the website or the mobile bidding application of Saffronart.

Indian collectors, says Vazirani, are familiar with Impressionist and Modern art. Most of them are well-travelled and have more than a nodding acquaintance with auctions. But he also expects young, first-time collectors to grab the opportunity to acquire a significant work of art since at least some of the works have a reserve price of just $1,500 dollars.

On the cover of the catalogue is an exceptional early landscape by Vincent Van Gogh. ‘L’allée aux deux promeneurs (Lane with Two Figures)’ was painted in the Dutch village of Neunen in 1885, where the 32-year-old artist had returned to live after studying in The Hague.

This was a pivotal year for Van Gogh as he obsessively recorded his surroundings and the local farming community, culminating in the masterpiece of his ‘Peasant Period’ -- The Potato Eaters - in April of the same year.

An important work by one of the grand masters of Impressionism will also be included in the auction. The luxuriant ‘Lisière du bois’ (Edge of the Wood) by Camille Pissarro depicts the artistic debt to his great friend Paul Cézanne and is a wonderful example of early Impressionism put into practice.