The two Gaitondes previously owned by George Gund made $1.085 and $1.685m each at Bonhams this week:

Hundreds of bidders from all around the world participated in one of the season’s most anticipated auctions. Bonhams’ Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian auction on September 17 brought in a total of over $4.7 million in sales.

All eyes were on the phone bank that was buzzing with activity as the bids for the two star lots—the paintings by V.S. Gaitonde—rose higher and higher until finally, Untitled, 1961 sold for $1.085 million and Untitled, 1963 sold for $1.685 million, both to overseas bidders. Untitled, 1961, a darker work of a more dramatic palette of black and indigo represents a transition, as he moved to develop his non-objective series. Untitled, 1963 is an incredible work that marks the beginning of Gaitonde’s classical style.