Tyed Mehta's 'Trussed Bull' sells for record Rs 61.8 crore at Saffronart auction

New Delhi, April 4 — In a landmark moment for Indian art, Tyeb Mehta’s iconic painting Trussed Bull sold for a staggering ₹61.80 crore at Saffronart’s 25th anniversary auction held in Mumbai on Wednesday. The sale marks the highest-ever auction price for a work by Mehta and ties with Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller (2023) as the second most expensive Indian artwork ever sold at auction worldwide.

This comes just two weeks after M.F. Husain’s Gram Yatra shattered records with a ₹118 crore sale at Christie’s in New York.

Tyeb Mehta’s Legacy Soars in Centenary Year​

Painted in 1956, Trussed Bull is a significant early work from Mehta’s career-defining series exploring the symbolism of the restrained bull. Initially estimated between ₹5 and ₹7 lakh, the final price far exceeded expectations, underlining Mehta’s enduring influence in the global art market during his centenary year.

Another Mehta piece—an untitled acrylic on canvas—was also featured, fetching ₹9 crore, surpassing its upper estimate of ₹7 crore.

Saffronart Sets Global Record for South Asian Art Auction​

Saffronart’s anniversary sale achieved a total of ₹217.81 crore (approximately USD 25 million), making it the highest value sale for South Asian art globally. All 75 lots were sold, resulting in a rare “white glove” auction, where 100% of lots find buyers.

“The outstanding result for Tyeb Mehta’s powerful portrayal of a trussed bull from 1956 is testament to his enduring influence as a cornerstone of modern Indian art—made even more meaningful in his centenary year,” said Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and co-founder of Saffronart.

“This auction not only underscores the strength of the South Asian art market but also its increasing global prominence.”

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Star Lots: Sher-Gil, Souza, Varma and More​

Several other masterpieces commanded strong prices:

• Amrita Sher-Gil’s rare still life Still Life with Green Bottles and Apples (1932) fetched ₹24 crore. The piece is one of the few still lifes created by Sher-Gil during her short but impactful career.
• F.N. Souza’s Supper at Emmaus (1987), inspired by Caravaggio’s Biblical theme, sold for ₹15.30 crore.
• Edwin Lord Weeks’ Lake at Oodeypore, India (circa 1893) brought in ₹12 crore.
• Sakti Burman’s Durga (circa 1995) was acquired for ₹7.20 crore.
• An untitled work by Ram Kumar sold for ₹6.12 crore.
• F.N. Souza’s Landscape of Hampstead, London sold at ₹5.7 crore.
• Raja Ravi Varma’s portrait Narayani closed at ₹4.2 crore.

Expanding the Reach of Indian Art​

Saffronart president and co-founder Minal Vazirani reflected on the milestone:

“For 25 years, Saffronart has redefined the Indian art market with transparency, accessibility, and innovation, expanding the reach of Indian art far beyond the diaspora.”

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The auction also featured acclaimed contemporary and modern Indian artists such as S.H. Raza, Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, Atul Dodiya, and Anju Dodiya, further cementing Saffronart’s role in shaping the future of Indian art on the global stage.