Charles Baskerville Jr. (1896-1994) Udaipur signed 'Charles Baskerville Udaipur' lower right watercolour on paper, framed 40 x 32.3cm (15 3/4 x 12 11/16in). Footnotes: Provenance The estate of American philanthropist, socialite, and writer, Brooke Astor; Property from a private collection, USA; acquired from Thomaston Place Auction Gallery, Summer Grandeur Day 1, 28th August 2025, lot 1073. In this vibrant and bustling watercolour, Baskerville Jr. captures a lively moment at the steps of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The scene teems with activity; vendors display garlands of fresh flowers, their wares forming a riot of colour at the heart of the composition. Women, clad in vivid yellow and red saris, ascend and descend the steps, their graceful forms echoing the rhythms of daily life. A sculpted elephant anchors the scene, its presence evoking both the grandeur and spiritual resonance of the setting. Baskerville's delicate brushwork and nuanced palette imbue the work with warmth and charm, transforming a fleeting, ordinary moment into a celebration of Indian culture and human vitality. Brooke Astor (1902-2007) was an American philanthropist, socialite, and author, celebrated for her generosity and cultural contributions. Born Roberta Brooke Russell in New York City, she married three times, most notably to Vincent Astor, heir to the Astor family fortune. After his death in 1959, she became a leading figure in New York's charitable and cultural life, serving on boards such as the New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Ballet Theatre. Known for her elegance, wit, and tireless advocacy for education, the arts, and housing for the underprivileged, Astor left an enduring legacy of philanthropy, donating millions to causes that improved the lives of countless New Yorkers. She lived to be 105, embodying a century of civic engagement and social influence. For another from the series sold at Sotheby's, see The Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, 25th April 1996, New York, lot 657. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing