MUMBAI, Apr 02 (AFP): An Indian oil painting by celebrated 19th century artist Raja Ravi Varma has sold for a record $17.9 million at auction in Mumbai, the highest price ever paid for a modern Indian artwork.
Mumbai-based auction house Saffronart said the painting, "Yashoda and Krishna", depicting the Hindu god Krishna with his mother while she milks a cow, was also the highest paid for a Varma artwork in an auction worldwide.
The oil on canvas painting was put up for auction on Wednesday, far surpassing its estimated price of $8.6 million-$12.9 million.
"It is... the highest value work by an Indian artist sold at auction globally," Saffronart said.
The Times of India newspaper said the painting was bought by industrialist and vaccine tycoon Cyrus Poonawala.
"This national treasure deserves to be made available for public viewing periodically," Poonawala told the newspaper, adding that he would "endeavour to facilitate this".
Indian painting sells for record $17.9 million
FE Team | Published: April 02, 2026 23:36:55
Indian painting sells for record $17.9 million
Share if you like