Mahatma Gandhi's rare oil portrait set to be auctioned in London

Rare portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted from life in 1931, to be auctioned in UK

Mahatma Gandhis rare oil portrait set to be auctioned in London
Mahatma Gandhi's rare oil portrait set to be auctioned in London

Mahatma Gandhi’s rare portrait from his life is all set to be auctioned in London, UK.

According to BBC, the rare oil portrait of the Indian independence leader who led the non-violent resistance movement against British rule in the subcontinent will be auctioned in London in July 2025.

‘Only oil portrait that Gandhi actually sat for’

Over the years his numerous paintings, sketches and drawings were circulated all around the world, but the auction house Bonhams revealed that this is “thought to be the only oil portrait that Gandhi actually sat for."

The British artist Clare Leighton painted this portrait in 1931, around 17 years before his death when he went to London for the second Round Table conference.

Caspar Leighton, a great nephew of the artist, told BBC, “This is a painting of unique historic and cultural significance. It would be great if it could be seen and appreciated more widely, whether in India or elsewhere.”

As per the auction house, Clare Leighton "was one of the very few artists admitted to his office and was given the opportunity to sit with him on multiple occasions to sketch and paint his likeness."

Leighton first showcased her portraits of Gandhi in November 1931, at an exhibition at the Albany Galleries in London. Although he did not attend the opening event, other representatives who were there for the conference visited the exhibition.

Later Gandhi's personal secretary Mahadev Desai wrote to Leighton, saying, "Many of my friends who saw it (the oil portrait) in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness."

Notably, the will be auctioned in the second week of July at Bonhams.

Elon Musk’s Tesla purchase by Donald Trump sparks explosive new drama
Elon Musk’s Tesla purchase by Donald Trump sparks explosive new drama
As soon as Elon Musk official role ended, the public fued between him and Trump has taken a personal turn
Lost J.M.W. Turner painting discovered after 150 years set for auction
Lost J.M.W. Turner painting discovered after 150 years set for auction
Experts thought that Turner's first oil painting shown to the public was 'Fishermen at Sea'
Australian navy ship causes havoc across New Zealand
Australian navy ship causes havoc across New Zealand
Parts of New Zealand faced internet issue due to interference by an Australian navy ship on its way to Wellington
World's highest railway bridge inaugurated in India
World's highest railway bridge inaugurated in India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially opened the world's highest railway bridge above Chenab river
Elon Musk makes bombshell claim against Trump: Internet asks real question
Elon Musk makes bombshell claim against Trump: Internet asks real question
Elon Musk and President Donald Trump feud over 'Big, Beautiful Bill' has turned into a personal war
Harvard's foreign students backed by US judge in surprising ruling
Harvard's foreign students backed by US judge in surprising ruling
The Trump administration ban on US entry for foreign students temporarily barred by a US judge
Japan in 'silent emergency' as annual births fall to record low
Japan in 'silent emergency' as annual births fall to record low
Japan observes decline in birth rates for the 16th straight year, raising concern about the shrinking popularity
Michelle Obama drops 'stunning' fashion memoir amid divorce rumours
Michelle Obama drops 'stunning' fashion memoir amid divorce rumours
Michelle says the book is her way of sharing her story through the way she dresses
Elon Musk calls out Donald Trump in explosive feud
Elon Musk calls out Donald Trump in explosive feud
Elon Musk publicly endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 election and invested around $290 million into his campaign
Edgar Lungu, former Zambia president passes away at 68
Edgar Lungu, former Zambia president passes away at 68
Edgar was president from 2015 to 2021, but lost the election in 2021 to the current president, Hakainde Hichilema
Europe’s first rover heads to moon with surprising twist: Red house and scoop
Europe’s first rover heads to moon with surprising twist: Red house and scoop
The rover is so small that it's one of the tiniest and lightest rovers ever made in the world
Maths standards in Wales fall behind UK as schools struggle to raise performance
Maths standards in Wales fall behind UK as schools struggle to raise performance
Positive maths teaching is standing out in one Welsh school despite a national decline in performance