Pyne’s postcards & sketch cards to Lalu Prasad Shaw fetch 82.6L
Times of India | 28 December 2024
12 Kolkata: At the recent AstaGuru's ‘Hictoric Masterpieces' auction, a set of 28 postcards and two sketch cards of Ganesh Pyne to fellow-artist Lalu Prasad Shaw has been sold at double that of their estimated value of Rs 40 lakh.
The personal correspondences are dated between 1958 and 1964. The medium used is ink on paper. Each letter reflects the deep affection Pyne had for Shaw. They also give a glimpse into the camaraderie and artistic thought process of Pyne. The letters blend intimate exchanges with Pyne's imaginative renderings, making them invaluable both as historical artefacts and unique expressions of his artistic journey.
Sneha Gautam, senior vice-president, client relations, AstaGuru Auction House, said, "The remarkable sale of this lot underscores the timeless value of art as a medium of connection and history. This unique collection of postcards and sketches by Ganesh Pyne, cherished by Lalu Prasad Shaw, is not just an artistic treasure but also a testament to the camaraderie and creative spirit shared between two modernist icons of Bengal. Its acquisition for more than double the estimated price at Rs 82.6 lakh reflects the growing appreciation for rare and intimate works that illuminate the personal and cultural narratives behind the artists' legacies."
Shaw's son Partha is happy with this news. "These letters were in my father's collection. He gave them to someone else. We have not directly given these for auction but I am happy to know people are appreciating them. Some of the drawings and calligraphy are just brilliant. These are rare pieces of work and I am glad they are being valued this way," he said.
Art lovers in Kolkata who followed the works of Pyne and Shaw are equally thrilled. "Both of them were born in 1937 and went to the Government College of Art & Craft. I just had an exhibition of works of Lalu Prasad Shaw. He has an individual style. It is interesting to know that both had such an intimate friendship. It is a pleasant surprise that they exchanged letters, which have been auctioned now," said Supriya Banerjee of Galerie 88.
At the same auction, Pyne's untitled watercolour of a mother and child on paper — estimated between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh — went under the hammer for approximately Rs 1 crore. Another work by Pyne that appeared in the auction was an untitled pastel on paper created in 2006, which was estimated between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh and was auctioned for around Rs 17 lakh.
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