UAE-based Alturaash Art Dubai had challenged the authenticity of two paintings that will be auctioned off in Mumbai by the London-based firm
Mumbai : Renowned auction house Christie’s today rubbished the claim by a Dubai-based art house owner that two paintings up for bidding at an auction in Mumbai tonight are fake.
“When handling works of art, Christie’s acts in a professional manner, including carrying out full research on all art works before offering them for sale,” the auction house said in a statement.
“For lot 39, Bindu painted by Syed Haider Raza (b.1922) in 1983, the artist Mr Raza and the Raza Foundation have authenticated the work.
“We would also like to share with you a photograph taken on 29 November 2015 during Christie’s India Sale preview in New Delhi, when Mr Raza came to view his artwork and was pleased to be photographed in front of his artwork. The same photograph has been proudly presented by Mr Raza on his Facebook page,” Chrisite’s statement said.
“Lot 26, Untitled (Bird, Tree and Mountain Series) painted by Jagdish Swaminathan (1928-1994) offered in the same auction has been authenticated by the son of the artist. We are therefore looking forward to offering both lots in tonight’s auction,” Christie’s added.
Founder and CEO of Alturaash Art Dubai, UAE, Asif Kamal had challenged the authenticity of two of the works coming up in one of the biggest auctions of the country, in Mumbai, by the world renowned auction house at the Christie’s India Sale. PTI
