A unique oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted during his 1931 visit to London, has achieved a remarkable auction price much higher than anticipated.
Mahatma Gandhi Oil Portrait Fetches Over $200,000 at Auction

Mahatma Gandhi Oil Portrait Fetches Over $200,000 at Auction
A rare artwork by British artist Clare Leighton sells for significantly above estimates.
A rare oil portrait of Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi has been auctioned in London for an impressive £152,800 ($204,648), surpassing initial estimates set by the auction house Bonhams, which expected the work to fetch between £50,000 and £70,000. This distinguished painting, created in 1931 by British artist Clare Leighton during Gandhi's visit to London, is believed to be the only oil portrait for which he posed.
Mahatma Gandhi, revered by many as the "father of the nation," pioneered a non-violent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India, inspiring countless individuals across the globe. The portrait was completed during Gandhi's attendance at the second Round Table Conference, aimed at discussing India's constitutional reforms and self-governance aspirations.
Bonhams noted that Leighton was among the select few artists permitted to engage with Gandhi during this time, granting her multiple opportunities to sketch and capture his likeness. Following Leighton's death in the US in 1989, the artwork remained within her family until its recent sale. The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, and it is uncertain whether the painting will be displayed publicly in the future.