
Gandhi's only known oil portrait, painted during 1931 London visit, sells for over ₹1.75 crore at Bonhams auction
The painting, created by British artist Clare Leighton, is believed to be the only oil portrait for which Gandhi personally sat. According to Bonhams, it had never before been offered at auction and was the top lot in the "Travel and Exploration" sale held online between July 7 and 15.
The portrait was completed during Gandhi's attendance at the Second Round Table Conference in London, where he represented the Indian National Congress to discuss constitutional reforms for India.
The artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi by political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, a known supporter of the Indian independence movement.
The artwork remained in Leighton's personal collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed on to her family.
The portrait carries a complex history; Leighton's family recalled that it may have been attacked with a knife by an RSS activist during a public exhibition in 1974. Documentation attached to the frame confirms the painting was restored that same year by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory.
This is not the first time a portrait of Gandhi has fetched a significant price at auction. In 2017, a rare pencil portrait of Gandhi sold for £32,500 — roughly four times its estimated value.
The sale highlights both the historical and symbolic value of rare visual representations of Gandhi, particularly those created during critical moments in India's struggle for independence.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Business Standard
19 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump plays golf in Scotland as protesters rally against his visit
President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Trump and his son Eric played with the US ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family's company took over in 2014. Security was tight, and protesters kept at a distance wand unseen by the group during Trump's round. He was dressed in black, with a white USA cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart. The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the US Consulate about 160 kilometres away in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff US tariffs on goods imported from the UK. Protests were planned in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a Stop Trump Coalition. Anita Bhadani, an organiser, said the protests were kind of like a carnival of resistance. June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian from Edinburgh wore a red cloak and white hood, recalling The Handmaid's Tale. Osbourne held up picture of Trump with Resist stamped over his face. I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here, Osbourne said. The dual-US-British citizen said the Republican president was the worst thing that has happened to the world, the US, in decades. Trump's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that. I don't think I could just stand by and not do anything, said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents. She held a cardboard sign that said We don't negotiate with fascists. She said so many people here loathe him. We're not divided. We're not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we're just here together because we hate him. Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the fervour over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president. In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace. Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for. Saturday's protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018. But, as bagpipes played, people chanted Trump Out! and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like No red carpet for dictators, We don't want you here and Stop Trump. Migrants welcome. One dog had a sign that said No treats for tyrants. Some on the far right took to social media to call for gatherings supporting Trump in places such as Glasgow. Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. But golf is a major focus. The family will also visit another Trump course near Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, before returning to Washington on Tuesday. The Trumps will cut the ribbon and play a new, second course in that area, which officially opens to the public next month. Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who is also set to meet with Trump during the visit, announced that public money will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously known previously as the Scottish Championship, at Trump's first course near Aberdeen next month. The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy, Swinney said. At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for. The president has long lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not done since he took over ownership. In a social media post Saturday, Trump quoted the retired golfer Gary Player as saying Turnberry was among the Top Five Greatest Golf Courses he had played in as a professional. The president, in the post, misspelled the city where his golf course is located.


India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
'Unparalleled courage, valor displayed by...': PM Modi, Prez Murmu lead nation in paying tributes to Kargil bravehearts
File/Archival Kargil Vijay Diwas: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in paying tributes to military personnel who fought valiantly in harsh conditions to hand Pakistan a crushing defeat in the 1999 Kargil conflict. On July 26 that year, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of 'Operation Vijay', declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. India observes the day as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' every year. Over 500 soldiers made supreme sacrifice in the conflict. In her message, President Murmu, who is also the Supreme Commander of the military, said: 'This day symbolises the extraordinary valor, courage, and steadfast determination of our jawans.' Modi said Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds the country of unparalleled courage and valour of its soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defending the country's pride. Various events were organised across the country, including at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, to mark the occasion. In the event at Drass, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, highlighting the Army's 'unique victory' on the Kargil peaks 26 years ago, said the military achieved a 'decisive victory' during Operation Sindoor as well continuing that tradition. 'It was the time when India made it clear that no evil intention will be allowed inside its borders, no harm will be allowed to the unity and integrity of India,' he said, referring to victory in Kargil. 'Continuing this tradition, during Operation Sindoor too, Indian military with the same indomitable courage and firm resolve targeted Pakistan backed terrorist infrastructure and thwarted other aggressive actions of Pakistan with effective pretense and achieved a decisive victory,' he said. 'Operation Sindoor is our resolve, message and answer,' he said. The Army Chief further added: 'With the unwavering trust of the countrymen and the political freedom granted by the government, the Indian armed forces gave a determined, precise and decisive response.' In his message, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said the Kargil conflict remains a stark reminder of Pakistan's 'treachery' and that India's adversaries will continue to test its resolve. But the nation will always come out victorious over the enemy's 'deceit and aggression' as was evident in Operation Sindoor, he added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid glowing tributes to the military personnel who made supreme sacrifices in the conflict. 'On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay heartfelt tributes to our bravehearts who displayed extraordinary courage, grit and determination in defending our nation's honour in the toughest of terrains,' Singh said. 'Their supreme sacrifice during Kargil war is a timeless reminder of the unwavering resolve of our Armed Forces. India shall remain forever indebted to their service,' he said in a social media post. Singh and the top military brass also paid tributes to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial. In his remarks, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Chauhan said Kargil Vijay Diwas is not only about remembering the past but also about drawing inspirations for the future. 'Our adversaries will continue to test our resolve, but the legacy of Kargil reminds us that our jointness, preparedness and unwavering courage — proven once again by the success of Operation Sindoor — will always triumph over the enemy's deceit and aggression,' he said. Gen Chauhan said Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds every Indian of the unparalleled bravery and patriotism of the valiant soldiers who fought fearlessly to safeguard India's territorial integrity as also, the 'bitter truth of Pakistan's betrayal'. 'Pakistan Army's ploy to extend the conflict beyond the Great Himalayan Range by sending regular troops disguised as Mujahideens, remains a stark reminder of their treachery,' he said. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said the legacy of the Kargil 'bravehearts' stands as a testament to the unwavering devotion to the service of the nation. 'Your sacrifice will remain a beacon of inspiration, not only for future citizens of our country but also for those who choose to serve in the defence forces with 'Duty-Honour-Courage!',' he added. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh the Indian Air Force remains committed to defend the sovereignty of the nation and uphold the proud traditions of courage, honour and duty as exemplified by the bravehearts. (Only the headline has been reworked by staff. Copy comes from an agency feed)


Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi empowers new Gujarat Congress chiefs, links ticket selection to performance
Ahmedabad: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met the newly appointed district and city Congress chiefs at a three-day training session in Anand, Gujarat. The session is part of a pilot project Gandhi launched to revive the party in Gujarat after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where he vowed to wrest power from the BJP in the next Assembly election. The new district and city chiefs were appointed through an "extensive consultative process" under this initiative. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Design Thinking MBA Data Analytics Product Management MCA others Data Science CXO Operations Management Degree Public Policy PGDM Finance Artificial Intelligence Data Science Technology Management healthcare Leadership Project Management Healthcare Others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details Party sources told ET that Gandhi made it clear the district and city presidents will now play a decisive role in ticket distribution , with final candidate approvals requiring their consent alongside the state Congress leadership . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He added that their work will be evaluated monthly, and underperformers will be replaced. The Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan ( Organization Building Campaign ) will remain central to election preparations, Gandhi said.