Francis Newton Souza’s Portrait of a Man Breaks European Record at Bukowskis’ Auction
Francis Newton Souza's Portrait of a Man sold for €1,470,000 at Bukowskis' Important Spring Sale, setting a European record for his work. This sale underscores Bukowskis' international auction prominence and Souza's enduring global appeal.
On June 12, 2024, Bukowskis' Important Spring Sale saw Francis Newton Souza's Portrait of a Man fetch €1,470,000, far exceeding its initial estimate of €135,000-€180,000. This marks the highest price ever achieved for an F.N. Souza painting in Europe.
Amanda Wahrgren, Bukowskis' Modern Art Specialist, expressed her delight: "I am incredibly pleased with the final price for this remarkable portrait by Souza. With numerous bidders online and over the phone, today’s outcome reinforces Bukowskis' standing in the international auction arena."
Priya Singh, Bonhams' Head of Sale for Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, added: "This portrait is an outstanding piece by an artist known for his raw and intense style. The global interest from collectors is unsurprising, as Souza's works resonate worldwide."
Born in 1924 in Goa, India, then a Portuguese colony, Francis Newton Souza moved to Bombay with his mother, where he was exposed to religious iconography during his Jesuit education. This influence is evident in his art. In 1947, Souza co-founded the Progressive Artists Group (PAG), blending India's classical heritage with Western artistic innovations, significantly advancing modern Indian art.
Souza moved to London in 1949, seeking a more liberal artistic environment. He exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1955 alongside luminaries like Francis Bacon and Henry Moore and had his first solo exhibition at Gallery One the same year, cementing his status in the London art scene.
Souza's career was marked by stylistic experimentation, yet his figurative works from the 1950s and 60s, characterized by sharp black lines, remain highly sought after. Portrait of a Man (1956), influenced by Medieval and Renaissance portraiture, was brought to Sweden by Souza during a transit from Germany to London. The work was part of an exhibition at St Nicolaus Gallery in Stockholm, which received harsh reviews. Enraged by the reception, Souza destroyed most of his works in Sweden, making the surviving pieces exceptionally rare and valuable.
Souza's ahead-of-his-time approach is evident in his powerful and emotional portraits, such as Portrait of a Man, which capture the subject's essence in an unfiltered, intense manner. His portraits transcend mere physical likeness, delving into the subjects' inner emotions and psychological states. Today, Souza is celebrated as one of the most influential modern artists from India and his era.
