Exploring the Most Expensive Paintings in India

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Art is a universal subject. Even those who may not understand the finer nuances and technicalities of a painting can still appreciate its creativity. The flow of colours, the angles of the lines, the patterns, and designs are all intrinsic parts of a painting. However, the most important of all is the purpose that it serves and the story that it tells. Hence, art lovers see life and emotion in paintings. It is no surprise that incredible paintings are often auctioned and bought for prices as high as millions of dollars.

We often hear of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh being sold for huge sums of money. However, Indian painters are not far behind. With exceptional talent and a unique perception, many Indian painters have been recognized worldwide for their remarkable paintings. And their paintings have fetched fitting prices in countries all over the world. In this article, we explore the most expensive painting in India; just read on.

Purpose of Art

Purpose of Art

When an artist creates their work, the price of the piece is usually not the main focus. Artists are creative beings who express their thoughts and ideas on canvas through sketches and paints. However, some paintings are recognized by the world as the extraordinary work of a genius. Art auctions are one of the best ways to accurately evaluate and value a painting in terms of money.

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Today, art auctions are held both online and offline, yet the major auction houses remain renowned for their expertise in understanding paintings. In India, numerous art auctions, auction houses, and galleries specialize in selling modern and contemporary paintings.

The Great Indian Artists

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There have been, and continue to be, several legendary Indian artists who have carved a niche for themselves in the world of art and painting. Many Indian paintings are auctioned in various countries by different auction houses worldwide. So, which is the most expensive painting by an Indian artist?

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Most Expensive Paintings by Indian artists

In recent times, paintings by Indian artists have made headlines due to the impressive price tags attached to them. Here are some of the most expensive works from renowned Indian artists.

VS Gaitonde – Untitled Painting

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Image Courtesy – Mutualart

Price – INR 42 Crore, February 24, 2022, Mumbai

V. S. Gaitonde’s untitled painting holds the record for being the most expensive painting by an Indian artist. Vasudeo S. Gaitonde was often described as a genius, yet he lived a relatively quiet life and was considered a recluse. He boldly pursued abstract painting at a time when it was not widely recognized or understood. This particular piece, painted in 1969, bears his signature in Hindi at the bottom.

Unlike many other popular Indian artists, V. S. Gaitonde did not achieve widespread fame during his lifetime. However, posthumously, many of his paintings have sold for crores. His untitled 1969 painting was auctioned for INR 42 crores by Pundole in Mumbai on February 24.

Amrita Sher-Gill – Ladies Enclosure & Self Portrait

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Image Courtesy – DNA India

Price – INR 37.8 Crore & INR 17 Crore

Ladies Enclosure became the second most expensive painting sold by an Indian artist. Created in 1938, it was auctioned by Saffronart in 2021, fetching INR 37.8 crores. This makes it one of the highest-selling paintings by a woman painter.

Another of her works, Self-Portrait, was sold in 2015 at Sotheby’s in New York. Amrita Sher-Gill painted Ladies Enclosure during her teenage years. After studying art in Paris, she returned to India in 1934. Once back, her paintings often focused on women, particularly those in village settings

Tyeb Mehta – Kali and Untitled & Figure on Rickshaw

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Image Courtesy – Tallengestore

Price – INR 25.4 Crore & INR 41.97 Crore

Tyeb Mehta wore many hats—he was a painter, filmmaker, and sculptor. Kali is one of his most famous paintings, sold online at Saffronart’s Milestone Auction in 2018. The painting depicts Goddess Kali with a red, gouged mouth, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil.

In addition to Kali, another untitled painting depicting a man on a rickshaw was sold at Christie’s auction in London in 2011. Tyeb’s deep empathy for the poor and underprivileged is vividly expressed in this work.

Much of his work was influenced by the post-Independence era, particularly the violence and turmoil of that time. Several of Tyeb Mehta’s other paintings have also entered the million-dollar club, including Mahisasura and another untitled piece depicting a falling bull.

Francis Newton Souza – Birth

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Image Courtesy – DNA India

Price – 28 Crore

Birth was sold in 2015 at Christie’s auction in New York. Painted in 1955, this work is considered an important piece of art and was one of the earliest paintings Francis Newton Souza created after moving to London from India. The painting depicts the pain a mother endures while delivering a newborn, with an open window showcasing the London landscape.

Francis Newton Souza, born in Goa, often centered his works around themes of nudity, religion, and other subjects.

Raja Ravi Varma – Radha in The Moonlight

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Image Courtesy – Pundoles

Price – 20 Crore

Mixing European and Indian styles, Raja Ravi Varma was one of the most popular Indian painters, renowned for depicting mythological figures. By making lithographs of his paintings accessible and affordable, he truly brought art to the masses. Radha in The Moonlight was sold in 2016 at the Pundole auction. This painting, created on oil canvas in 1890, depicts Radha as a fine representation of feminine qualities and virtues.

Syed Haider Raza – Saurashtra and La Terre

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Image Courtesy – Archerindia

Price – 16.42 Crore & 37.3 Crore

Saurashtra was sold in 2010 at a Christie’s auction in London. Painted by Syed Haider Raza in 1983, the work captures the colorful beauty of coastal Gujarat. Through geometric designs and the intrinsic beauty of natural landscapes and spiritualism, Raza presents Saurashtra as a synthesis of his diverse experiences. This painting was created during a period when Raza was influenced by the art of Paris and Abstract Expressionism, while also incorporating elements of Indian heritage.

Another painting, La Terre, was sold at Christie’s auction in New York in 2008. This abstract work is a riot of colors.

Akbar Padamsee – Greek Landscape

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Image Courtesy – greekreporter

Price – 19.19 Crore

Greek Landscape depicts the clutter of buildings and city space. Through masterful strokes and various shades of grey, the painting evokes the sensation of viewing an urban cityscape from a window. This painting was sold in 2016 at an auction organized by Saffronart.

Padamsee was well known for his work with oil canvas, as well as digital prints and photography.

M F Hussain – Battle of Ganga and Jamuna

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Image Courtesy – Artnet

Price – 12 Crore

M. F. Husain needs no introduction; he was one of the most recognized Indian painters in recent times. The Battle of Ganga and Jamuna, painted in 1972, was sold at Christie’s auction in 2008. Inspired by mythology, the painting depicts the battle between good and evil. It is part of a series based on the Mahabharata, expressing the struggle between virtue and immorality through colors and canvas.

Arpita Singh – Wish Dreams

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Image Courtesy – Artnet

Price – 9.6 Crore

Wish Dreams, an abstract figurative painting, was sold in 2010 at a Saffronart auction. Arpita took three years to complete this work, which remains one of her most significant creations. The painting consists of 16 canvas panels and is reminiscent of Kantha and Buddhist Thangka paintings. It features women alongside everyday objects such as cars, guns, and planes, showcasing the dreams and wishes of women in society.

Contemporary artists today also see their works appreciated and sold at high prices. Anish Kapoor’s untitled work sold for $1.5 million at Sotheby’s auction in Doha in 2009. Atul Dodiya’s paintings are often valued similarly to those of Francis Newton Souza and Tyeb Mehta; for instance, his Lodging in Somnath was sold for $465,818 in 1989. Bharti Kher’s The Skin Speaks a Language Not Its Own fetched $1.5 million. Other modern contemporary painters, including Raqib Shaw, Jitish Kallat, Ravinder Reddy, Subodh Gupta, and Shilpa Gupta, have also achieved significant sales.

Takeaway

Finally, Indian artists have made a significant mark on the global artistic map. There is no doubt that Indian paintings are highly sought after by major auction houses around the world. Their works are purchased both internationally and domestically. Thus, Indian artists have transcended boundaries with paintings that resonate across space and time.

Image credits: The copyright for the images used in this article belong to their respective owners. Best known credits are given under the image. For changing the image credit or to get the image removed from Caleidoscope, please contact us.

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