Rare Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi to Go Under the Hammer in London for Up to £70,000

London, 5 June, 2025 - An oil portrait, believed to be the only painting for which Mahatma Gandhi ever sat, is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams this July, with an estimated value of £50,000 to £70,000 (approximately ₹58 to ₹81 lakh).

This historic piece has never previously been sold at auction, remaining in the possession of British artist Clare Leighton until her death in 1989, after which it was passed down through her family.

Leighton, best known for her wood engravings, met Gandhi during his 1931 visit to London for the Second Round Table Conference. At the time, she was in a relationship with political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, an ardent supporter of Indian independence. Brailsford had travelled to India in 1930, meeting several key figures of the freedom movement. He later published the book Rebel India, and upon Gandhi's arrival in London, introduced Leighton to him.

Leighton became one of the few artists permitted into Gandhi’s office and granted the rare opportunity to sketch and paint him during his stay. In November 1931, she exhibited her portraits at Albany Galleries in London.

The following month, Gandhi’s personal secretary, Mahadev Desai, wrote a letter to Leighton — a copy of which is affixed to the portrait’s backing board — stating: “It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr. Gandhi’s portrait.”

According to the artist’s family, the portrait was briefly on public display in 1974, when it reportedly faced some controversy, though the nature of the allegation remains unclear.

This portrait, now being offered at auction for the first time, provides not just an artistic glimpse of Gandhi, but a historical snapshot of an intimate, human moment with the Mahatma, captured by one of Britain’s celebrated artists of the 20th century.

Source : The Times of India