Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world.
But a 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton is believed to be the only oil portrait he sat for, according to the painter's family and Bonhams, where it will be auctioned online from July 7 to 15.
The painting is a “likely hidden treasure”, Caspar Leighton, the artist’s great-nephew, told AFP.
Clare Leighton met Gandhi in 1931, when he was in London for talks with the British government on India's political future.
“I think there was clearly a bit of artistic intellectual courtship that went on,“ said Caspar, pointing out that his great-aunt and Gandhi shared a “sense of social justice”.
The portrait, painted at a crucial time for India’s independence struggle, “shows Gandhi at the height of his power”, added Caspar.
“Many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness,“ reads a copy of the letter attached to the painting’s backing board.
Gandhi was shot at point-blank range in 1948 by disgruntled Hindu nationalist activist Nathuram Godse, once closely associated with the right-wing paramilitary organisation RSS.
According to Leighton’s family, the painting was attacked with a knife by a “Hindu extremist” believed to be an RSS activist, in the early 1970s.
Under UV light, Demery pointed out the shadow of a deep gash running across Gandhi's face where the now-restored painting was damaged.
'Real home'
The only other recorded public display of the painting was in 1978 at a Boston Public Library exhibition of Clare Leighton's work.
“There’s my family’s story but the story in this portrait is so much greater,“ he said.
“I think it’d be great if it got seen by more people. Maybe it should go back to India -- maybe that’s its real home.”
“This might be really the last truly significant picture of Gandhi to emerge from that time.”
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