Francis Newton Souza Breaks Auction Records with 'Houses in Hampstead'

Goan artist Francis Newton Souza has shattered auction records with his landscape piece, 'Houses in Hampstead', sold for an impressive USD 7.5 million at a Sotheby's auction in London, dramatically surpassing its initial guide price.

The 'Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art' auction marked a milestone, with a second Souza painting, 'Emperor,' clinching five times its estimate at USD 6.9 million. Overall, five of Souza's works fetched over USD 14.6 million, contributing to a total sale of USD 25.5 million, which included works from other prominent artists such as Vasudeo Gaitonde and M.F. Husain.

According to Manjari Sihare-Sutin, Co-Worldwide Head of the sale, this auction stands out as one of the highest-value sales in the recent history of South Asian art, underscoring the region's artistic significance and diversity. Additionally, an impending India-US agreement on cultural property could affect future auctions by imposing import restrictions on certain Indian materials.

(With inputs from agencies.)