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TL;DR
- Zainul Abedin’s “Untitled” painting sold for a record US $692,048 at Sotheby’s auction, the highest for any Bangladeshi artist.
- Another untitled painting by Abedin gifted to Cedomil Plazek fetched US $643,690, while a third sold for US $289,663.
- Abedin’s works have been steadily gaining global recognition, with two paintings selling for record prices in March 2023.
- Abedin is known for his depictions of the 1943 Bengal famine, and his artistic journey reflects Bangladesh’s cultural history.
Bangladeshi art maestro Zainul Abedin, revered as ‘Shilpacharya’, has set new benchmarks in the international art market with his paintings fetching record prices at a recent Sotheby’s auction in London. The highest sale, an untitled ink and wash on paper piece gifted by Abedin to Cedomil Plazek, a hydrogeologist who lived in Dhaka while working for the United Nations, sold for an astounding US $692,048, or approximately Tk 8.27 crore. This marks the highest price ever paid for a Bangladeshi artwork at auction.
Another untitled oil-on-canvas painting by Abedin, also a gift to Plazek, sold for US $643,690, roughly Tk 7.69 crore. Plazek, who befriended Abedin while working on groundwater projects in Bangladesh, received both paintings as personal gifts. The deep connection between the two men and Abedin’s generous spirit is reflected in these treasured pieces that have now found a place in art history through their record-breaking sales.
A third painting by Abedin, “Untitled (Figures)”, sold for US $289,663, or Tk 3.46 crore. This work, done in ink and pencil on paper, was signed and dated ‘Zainul / 25/5/70 / Jordan’ and reflects the artist’s sensitivity to human forms and emotions, a recurring theme in his art.
These recent auction results follow a trend of Abedin’s works steadily gaining recognition and value on the global stage. In March of this year, two of his paintings achieved record prices. One of these, “Untitled (Couple)”, which depicts a Santal couple, was created in 1963 using oil on canvas and sold for US $381,000, or around Tk 4.16 crore. Another, an “Untitled” painting of a woman at rest in a sky-blue saree and scarlet bangles, sold for US $279,400, approximately Tk 3.05 crore.
Both paintings were part of the Jamsheed K Marker and Diana J Marker estate, a collection that brought to light some of Abedin’s lesser-seen works. The Marker family, who were notable figures in diplomatic circles, owned these pieces for decades before they were brought to auction by Sotheby’s.
Zainul Abedin’s artistic journey is emblematic of Bangladesh’s cultural history, his works often reflecting the struggles and resilience of the people. He is particularly known for his depictions of the 1943 Bengal famine, and his “Famine Series” remains one of his most powerful and haunting contributions to South Asian art.
The recent record-breaking sales at Sotheby’s further cement Abedin’s legacy as one of the most significant artists to emerge from Bangladesh, with his works capturing the attention and admiration of art enthusiasts worldwide. As the value of his paintings continues to soar, it is clear that Zainul Abedin’s impact on the art world will endure for generations to come.
News Source: The Daily Star
