Night Palm by Howard Hodgkin sold for $17,640 at Sotheby’s Important Prints & Multiples: Part II auction on April 23, 2021 in New York City. Considered one of England’s most celebrated contemporary artists, the London-born Hodgkin was known for his unique style of painting outside the perimeter of the canvas and onto the frame. His talent also transcended other borders—in addition to painting, he designed textiles for the Designers Guild and produced large-scale set designs for the Royal Ballet, among other dance companies. Hodgkin had his heart set on a career in the arts from a young age—he ran away from the prestigious Eton College and Bryanston School to pursue his dreams.
A collector of art himself, Hodgkin had a particular love of India, traveling to paint there frequently and collecting Indian Art throughout his life. The late artist had hoped that his Indian Art collection (said to be worth an estimated $9.9 million) would be kept together and acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England after his death. However, according to the Guardian, the museum has turned down the collection, citing concerns over the works’ provenance. In early May 2021, the publication revealed that the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is considering acquiring the collection, despite its questionable provenance.