Oil portrait of Gandhi sold for £152,000

An oil portrait of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi was sold for 152,800 pounds (approximately 8.2 million lira) at an auction in London.

The work was painted by British artist Clare Leighton during Gandhi's visit to London in 1931.

Auction house Bonhams reported that the painting is thought to be the only oil portrait in which Gandhi modeled.

Before the auction, it was estimated that the work would sell for between 50,000 and 70,000 pounds.

Gandhi led a non-violent resistance movement against British rule in India, and his teachings inspired millions. Many Indians revere him as the "father of the nation."

At the time the work was painted, Gandhi had gone to London to attend the second Round Table Conference held to discuss constitutional reforms in India.

According to Bonhams, Clare Leighton was one of the very few artists accepted into Gandhi's office and was given the opportunity to draw and paint his portrait on numerous occasions.

The works remained in the artist's collection until his death in 1989, after which they passed to his family.

Bonhams has not disclosed who purchased the painting, and it is not yet known whether it will be exhibited.