Auctioned Gandhi artpiece in London fetches price above £150,000 - Historic Gandhi portrait fetches over 150,000 British pounds at auction
The much-anticipated auction of a rare oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi, titled *Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi*, took place at Bonhams auction house in London on July 15, 2025. Created by British artist Clare Leighton in 1931, the painting fetched £152,800 (approximately Rs 1.63 crore or $204,648), significantly surpassing its pre-sale estimate.
Clare Leighton was one of the few artists granted the opportunity to paint Gandhi from life during his visit to London for the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. The portrait is believed to be the only oil painting Gandhi ever sat for.
The identity of the buyer and the painting's future location or accessibility have not been publicly disclosed. While it remains unclear whether the painting will be displayed publicly or kept in a private collection, there have been hopes expressed that it might eventually be exhibited more widely, possibly even returned to India, its "true home."
Caspar Leighton, the great-nephew of Clare Leighton, has expressed a desire to make the painting more accessible to people. He believes the painting tells a bigger story and that it holds significant historical and cultural value.
The portrait depicts Gandhi "at the height of his power," a time when he was leading a nonviolent campaign against British colonial rule in India, which culminated in India's independence in 1947. Tragically, Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist in 1948.
The painting was exhibited in London in November 1931 and again in 1978 in Boston. It has remained in the Leighton family, having been inherited by Clare Leighton's father and then by Caspar Leighton.
This historic painting is a testament to the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and the impact of his nonviolent resistance movement. As the painting's future unfolds, many will be watching with anticipation to see if it will indeed return to India, where it may inspire future generations with the story of Gandhi's life and his struggle for independence.
[1] Bonhams Auction Catalogue, 2025 [2] The Times of India, July 16, 2025 [3] The Hindu, July 16, 2025 [4] BBC News, July 16, 2025
- Despite the painting's future location being unclear, there are hopes that the rare oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi, auctioned for over £150,000 in London, might one day be exhibited more widely, even returned to India, its "true home."
- Amidst the much-discussed auction of the Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, reports of the current political climate and general-news have not focused on this significant event, but Caspar Leighton's desire to make the painting more accessible to people suggests a story that transcends politics, captivating art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
