Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art Auction Surges to $22.1 Million in New York
New York — Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art auction achieved a strong $22.1 million total on March 26, 2026, in New York, posting a perfect 100% sell-through rate and leading Asian art sales for the season. The result underscores sustained global demand for works by pioneering South Asian modernists and emerging voices from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
The sale featured 73 lots spanning paintings and works on paper, with competitive bidding both in the room and online. A standout was Maqbool Fida Husain’s seminal 1958 canvas Second Act, one of the most widely published and exhibited pieces in the category at Sotheby’s. The large-scale figurative work, rich in dramatic earth tones and expressive forms, drew intense interest before hammering down at a premium price.
Francis Newton Souza continued to command attention with several works, including urban landscapes and figurative pieces characterized by bold lines and vibrant palettes. Other highlights included paintings by Sayed Haider Raza, whose iconic Bindu-inspired abstractions resonated with collectors, and pieces by Jehangir Sabavala, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, Jagdish Swaminathan, and Bhupen Khakhar.
Experts noted fresh-to-market property and strong provenance as key drivers. The auction builds on Sotheby’s recent momentum in the category, following previous record-setting sales and reflecting broader market confidence in South Asian modernism.
“This exceptional clearance rate signals deepening collector engagement across continents,” said a Sotheby’s specialist. The results arrive amid growing institutional and private interest in the region’s 20th- and 21st-century artistic narratives.
The sale’s success positions Sotheby’s as a leader in this dynamic sector, with buyers ranging from established patrons to new entrants. Full results and detailed lot information are available on the Sotheby’s website.
