Goan origin art fetches bumper bids at Saffronarts Spring Auctions 2026

Panaji: Two paintings by artists of Goan origin sold for double their estimate at Saffronart’s Spring Auctions 2026. A circa 1950s untitled work by Vasudev Gaitonde achieved Rs 5.1 crore, while FN Souza’s work titled Goan Peasants in the Market (1944) realised Rs 4.8 crore.

The latter piece fetched over three times its higher estimate.Shedding light on the works that were auctioned, Minal Vazirani, president and co-founder Saffronart said that the works from the 1950s mark a very important phase in Gaitonde’s practice, when he was beginning to shape the visual language he is known for today.“There are very few works from this period in private hands, and even fewer that come to market.

There is something very compelling about encountering a work from such an early and formative moment in an artist’s journey. With Gaitonde, that period holds a certain quiet intensity; it’s where his language begins to emerge. Collectors today are not just acquiring names, but engaging more deeply with an artist’s evolution.

When a work brings together rarity, quality, and art historical importance, it naturally draws strong interest,” she said.

Souza’s Goan Peasants in the Market 1944 is a rare find within Souza’s oeuvre and collectors are increasingly focused on acquiring works that represent key phases in an artist’s development.“The painting carries a sense of place and narrative, which resonates with collectors. This work reflects an early and defining moment in Souza’s practice. Works like this painting, which are both historically important and strong in terms of their aesthetic, do attract competitive bidding,” she said.“The resilience of the market also comes from a deeper shift in how people are engaging with art. We’ve seen more collectors, in India and internationally, build thoughtful, legacy collections. That kind of engagement creates a strong foundation for the market,” she added.