New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS) Two artistic interpretations of calligraphy by Maqbool Fida Husain, ‘Allah’ and ‘Al Qaf’, will feature at the Sotheby’s ‘Hurouf: The Art of the World’ auction in Doha Dec 16.
The prime exhibit ‘Allah’, a calligraphic symbol of the holy Islamic world in water colour and ink on paper created by the artist this year after relocating to Doha, is estimated at $20,000, Sotheby’s said Wednesday.
‘We are thrilled to be presenting such a diverse range of artists from 24 countries, many of whom have never appeared in the auction market before. Among the highlights to be offered on this international stage are two works by Maqbool Fida Husain — one of India’s finest artists practicing in the field of Arabic calligraphy,’ said Dalya Islam, deputy director of Sotheby’s Middle East and India department.
The auction, which carries a pre-sale estimate of more than $4 million, features over 65 artists from 24 countries with 82 pieces on the sale that are contemporary interpretations of calligraphy.
The auction traces the developments of the Arabic script from its inception with kufic leaves dating from the eighth century A.D. through popular calligraphy of the 19th century to the highest calibre works by international calligraphers working today.
It is a tribute to Doha which has been declared Arab Capital of Culture in 2010. The auction aims to represent the developments of calligraphy as an art form for the last 2,000 years.
The countries participating at the auction are — Iran, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Algeria, Britain, China, Syria, Egypt, France, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, India, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and the US.
