The collection of important British artist Howard Hodgkin crossed the block earlier this week at Sotheby’s London.
Hodgkin, who died in March this year, was an abstract artist whose canvases are defined by vibrant splashes of colour.
He was also a well-known and hugely eclectic collector, whose interests spanned everything from contemporary art to Islamic tapestries.
Bhupen Khakhar was an acclaimed Indian modernist painter
The highest result of the evening was for De-luxe Tailors (1972) by the Indian painter Bhupen Khakhar, which made £1.1m ($1.4m) against an estimate of £350,000 ($462,722).
The two men became friends in the early 1970s after meeting at the 2nd Triennale of India.
Hodgkin had an abiding interest in Indian classical art, the forms of which he saw reflected in Khakhar’s work.
Khakhar gifted him this piece soon after they met. It’s the first in his celebrated “trade” series to head to auction, hence the exceptional result.
The proceeds from the auction will be donated to a number of causes close to Hodgkin’s heart.
As his partner, Antony Peattie, explained prior to the sale: “Howard liked the idea of a sale after his death. The objects have served their purpose to him, they were what he called his ‘Must Haves’ that, in some mysterious way, fed his work.
“But now they amplify his absence. “After he died the house was so sad: all these objects remained in place but, after 33 years that we spent together, everything had changed.
“The sale represents a personal portrait of Howard. And it will enable his executors to fulfil his wishes."
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about art and photography auctions.
