Tyeb Mehta breaks record with his new painting
The famed painting, Trussed Bull shows a bound bull, caught in a moment of visible agony—its limbs tied, struggling yet strikingly still. The emotion is raw, the imagery haunting, and the colours—deep reds and earthy browns. The background has been left plain intentionally, letting the viewer focus solely on the creature’s quiet suffering.
As per reports, the painting isn’t just any piece of his work. It is a window into the painter’s world. Born in Gujarat and trained at Mumbai’s Sir JJ School of Art, Mehta often drew inspiration from the slaughterhouses he passed as a young man. Bulls, often considered symbols of strength, were tied down and helpless, and that contrast stuck with him deeply.
Coincidentally, the the timing of the auction is quite symbolic too. It comes during the year that marks Mehta’s 100th birth anniversary. And what better way to honour the iconic artist’s legacy than to see one of his most powerful works claim its place in the history books?
With the sale of Trussed Bull, Tyeb Mehta’s painting now stays tied with Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller, which fetched the same amount in 2023. However, these two are still far from the one painting that continues to remain the most expensive piece of art by an Indian artist.
That crown belongs to M.F. Husain’s Untitled, which went for an unbelievable ₹118 crore in New York just last month.
However, it is important to remember that the sale of these paintings isn’t just about the numbers they bring. It’s about remembering the emotional depth, bold storytelling, and raw honesty that artists like Tyeb Mehta brought to canvas. And clearly, the world still seems to be mesmerized by his tales!