Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Record-breaking auction sparks renaissance in Indian colonial art

Record-breaking auction sparks renaissance in Indian colonial art

LAST MONTH at Sotheby's, the art world witnessed an extraordinary event as The Taj Mahal by Moonlight, a painting valued at £30,000, shattered expectations by fetching an astonishing £482,600 at auction—more than ten times its initial estimate.

This unexpected surge in interest has brought attention to the Company School of Indian colonial art, potentially elevating the value of British Library paintings and sparking a new wave of curiosity in this niche sector, reported The Times.


Rukmani Kumari Rathore, Sotheby's classical Indian art specialist, noted that the Company School paintings have experienced a gradual but remarkable surge in demand. The term 'Company School' refers to Indian art patronised by the East India Company, with The Taj Mahal by Moonlight being a prime example, created by the renowned 19th-century Indian artist Sita Ram.

The painting is part of a series of ten albums, showcasing Ram's cross-cultural art that adapted Indian styles to European tastes during the Marquess of Hastings' tour of British possessions in India in 1814-15.

The recent boom in demand for Company School paintings can be attributed, in part, to heightened awareness through exhibitions like 'Forgotten Masters' at the Wallace Collection in 2019, curated by historian William Dalrymple, the report added.

Institutions like the British Library, housing 183 of Ram's paintings from the same set as The Taj Mahal by Moonlight, are now faced with the prospect of increased value for their collections.

While the surge is partly fueled by affluent Indians establishing museums and private art collections, international interest has played a significant role.

Rathore highlighted that buyers are not solely limited to India, with Europe, the UK, and the US showing a keen interest. The paintings' initial design for the European market adds to their global appeal.

The trend extends beyond paintings, as in the case of the sale of Tipu Sultan's fabled bedchamber sword at Bonhams earlier this year. Valued at £2 million, the sword sold for seven times that amount, emphasising the broader interest in Indian artifacts.

Despite the flourishing market, caution is advised for those in possession of Indian art. The reasons behind the substantial sale of The Taj Mahal by Moonlight remain unclear, with factors such as Sita Ram's popularity, the iconic subject matter, and exemplary provenance contributing to its value.

According to Rathore, both private individuals and institutions are participating in auctions with a growing preference for well-documented artworks.

The rarity of pieces like the Ram painting adds to their allure, but experts caution against flooding the market with similar material, as it could deflate prices.

As the Company School art market continues to gain momentum, auctioneers are likely to set higher estimates, the report added.

More For You

F-35B jet

The UK has agreed to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.

Indian Air Force

F-35B jet still stranded in Kerala, UK sends engineers for repair

UK AVIATION engineers are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to carry out repairs on an F-35B Lightning jet belonging to the Royal Navy, which has remained grounded after an emergency landing 12 days ago.

The jet is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. It made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft, valued at over USD 110 million, is among the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ahmedabad air crash
Relatives carry the coffin of a victim, who was killed in the Air India Flight 171 crash, during a funeral ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ahmedabad crash: Grief, denial and trauma haunt families

TWO weeks after the crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, families of victims are grappling with grief and trauma. Psychiatrists are now working closely with many who continue to oscillate between denial and despair.

The crash occurred on June 12, when the London-bound flight hit the BJ Medical College complex shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and 29 on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

Prime minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at The British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference in London on June 26, 2025. (Photo by EDDIE MULHOLLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he was wrong to warn that Britain could become an "island of strangers" due to high immigration, saying he "deeply" regrets the controversial phrase.

Speaking to The Observer, Sir Keir said he would not have used those words if he had known they would be seen as echoing the language of Enoch Powell's notorious 1968 "rivers of blood" speech.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

Sir Sajid Javid (Photo by Tom Nicholson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

A cross-party group has been formed to tackle the deep divisions that sparked last summer's riots across England. The new commission will be led by former Tory minister Sir Sajid Javid and ex-Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion has backing from both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. It brings together 19 experts from different political parties and walks of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Masum

Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police

Habibur Masum convicted of murdering estranged wife in front of baby

A MAN who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Bradford in front of their baby has been convicted of murder.

Habibur Masum, 26, attacked 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter in broad daylight on April 6, 2024, stabbing her more than 25 times while she pushed their seven-month-old son in a pram. The baby was not harmed.

Keep ReadingShow less