Industrialist and philanthropist Dr Cyrus Poonawalla has acquired a pencil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi drawn from life by artist John Amshewitz (1882-1942) at an auction conducted by Sotheby’s London on July 11, 2017. The portrait is inscribed by Gandhi with the words "Truth is God” and is signed by the leader on December 4, 1931, reported The Times of India (TOI) of July 13. The sketch shows Gandhi with a look of intense concentration while seated on the floor. It was estimated to fetch between £ 8,000 to 12,000 (Rs 6,66,980 to 10,00,471) and was acquired by Poonawalla for £ 32,500 (Rs 27,09,609). The picture’s dimensions are 285 x 235 mm, and it is framed and glazed (frame size 415 x 360mm), says the auctioneers’ on-line catalog. "To have such a rare and intimate depiction of him (Gandhi) at work, and signed by the great man himself, is an honor,” Poonawalla was quoted as stating. He added that he was delighted "to have the opportunity to bring a work of such historic value back to India.”
Gabriel Heaton of Sotheby’s books and manuscripts department told TOI that the portrait is from the time Gandhi attended the Round Table Conference in London to discuss constitutional reforms in India and was sketched by Amshewitz while Gandhi was writing a letter at Kingsley Hall where he was staying.
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla; Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi