Introduction
- Date of Birth
- 07 Aug 1871
- Zodiac sign
- Leo
- Date of Death
- 05 Dec 1951
- Age
- 80
- Place of Birth
- Calcutta, West Bengal, India
- State Country of Birth
- West Bengal, India
1895
- Studied under the private tutelage of Olinto Gilhardi and Charles Palmer
1905
- Tutored by Yokoyama Taikan on Japanese brushwork
- Government College of Arts & Craft, Kolkata, India
1910
- Studied and discovered Indian art with E.B. Havell
1892
- Drawings reproduced in Rabindranath Tagore's play, Chitrangada. Member, Bharatiya Shilpa SamitiAssociated Institution
1895
- Established a studioAssociated Institution
- Book illustration for Abhijnan Sakuntalam by KalidasaAssociated Institution
1896
- Illustrations for his own book Ksirer PutulAssociated Institution
1902
- Paintings reproduced in articles on his works by Havell, in the Studio MagazineAssociated Institution
1905
- Paintings reproduced in articles on his works by Havell, in the Studio MagazineAssociated Institution
- Paintings reproduced in magazines The Modem Review and PrabasiAssociated Institution
- Secretary, Bangiya Kala SamsadOfficial Position
- Vice-Principal, Government College of Arts & Craft, Kolkata, India (His department was known as the Advanced Design Class)Official Position
1905 – 1906
1906
- Acting Principal, after the resignation of E.B. Havell as Principal, Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, IndiaOfficial Position
1906 – 1909
1907
- Founding member and Joint Secretary, the Indian Society of Oriental Art, Kolkata, IndiaOfficial Position
1908
- Paintings reproduced in articles on his works by Havell, in the Studio MagazineAssociated Institution
- Colour plates of paintings reproduced by Ramanand Chatterjee in his journal The Modern Review and also sold as printsAssociated Institution
- The Music Party published in 'Okakura's Kokka'Associated Institution
1909
- Percy Brown was brought in as Principal and Abanindranath made Vice-PrincipalOfficial Position
1909 – 1915
- Abanindranath ultimately resigned from the art school and set up his own teaching classAssociated Institution
1909 – 1915
1918
- Drawings reproduced in Rabindranath Tagore's works Gitanjali, Fruit Gathering and The Parrot's TrainingAssociated Institution
1930
- Wrote 'Jatras' or folk dramas on themes from the Mahabharata and other Puranic storiesAssociated Institution
1930 – 1938
1940
- Created toys called 'Kutum Katum' from roots and branches of trees, made to resemble an animal or human formAssociated Institution
- Formed the purchase committee of the Government Art Gallery, along with Gaganendranath Tagore, Justice Woodroffe, Norman Blount, Rueboson and MullerAssociated Institution
Exhibitions
1900
- Government College of Arts & Craft, Kolkata, India (Inaugurated by Lord Curzon)
1902
- Congress Industrial Exhibition, Kolkata, India
1911
- Indian Society of Oriental Art's United Provinces Exhibition, Allahabad, India
- Festival of Empire, George V's Coronation, Organised by Indian Society of Oriental Art, at Crystal Palace, England
1914
- 22nd Exhibition of Societe des Peintres Orientalistes, France
- Retrospective, Imperial Institute, London, UK
- Francais, Grand Palais, Paris, France (Travelling to Belgium, Holland and Imperial Institute, England)
1915
- Young Men's Indian Association, Chennai, India
- Indian Society of Oriental Art Exhibition, Kolkata, India
1924
- Travelling exhibition organised by American Federation of Art & the Indian Society of Oriental Art in USA
1928
- Athenee Gallery, Organised by James Cousins, Geneva, Switzerland
1974
1975
1976
- Academy of Fine Arts and Rabindra Bharati Society, Kolkata, India
16 Aug 1976 to 27 Aug 1976
1978
- Academy of Fine Arts and Rabindra Bharati Society, Kolkata, India
01 Sep 1978 to 05 Sep 1978
1979
- Academy of Fine Arts and Rabindra Bharati Society, Kolkata, India
01 Sep 1979 to 07 Sep 1979
1991
1996
- Nandan Gallery, Santiniketan, India
1997
- Intuitive Logic: A Festival of Indian Contemporary Painting, Presented by The Tuli Foundation for Holistic Education & Art (HEART) at, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
01 Mar 1997 to 19 Apr 1997
2000
- Face off 1900 - 1980s: An Exhibition of Indian Old Masters and Moderns, Curated by Santo Datta, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
15 Apr 2000 to 31 May 2000
2001
- Shatabdi: Reflections on A Century Past, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
05 Jan 2001 to 23 Jan 2001
- Shatabdi: Reflections on A Century Past, Organised by CIMA, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
30 Mar 2001 to 06 Apr 2001
07 Aug 2001 to 14 Aug 2001
- Art in Art Colleges of West Bengal, Presented by Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata, India
2002
- A Historical Epic: India in the Making 1757-1950, Art Today, New Delhi, India
01 Aug 2002 to 08 Aug 2002
- A Historical Epic: India in the Making 1757-1950, curated Exhibition-Auction by Neville Tuli, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
19 Jul 2002 to 27 Jul 2002
2003
- Manifestations: Indian Art in 20th Century from the DAG Collection, World Trade Centre, Mumbai, India
12 Nov 2003 to 19 Nov 2003
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
29 Nov 2003 to 13 Dec 2003
19 Apr 2003 to 19 May 2003
2004
- Manifestations II: Indian Art in 20th Century, 100 Artists from the DAG Collection, at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
25 Jul 2004 to 31 Jul 2004
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
09 Aug 2004 to 21 Aug 2004
2005
- Revisualising India, From The Osian's Archive & Library Collection, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
16 Aug 2005 to 02 Sep 2005
- Manifestations III: 100 Artists from the Delhi Art Gallery Collection, at Nehru Center, Mumbai, India
06 Apr 2005 to 12 Apr 2005
- Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
22 Apr 2005 to 27 Apr 2005
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
30 Apr 2005 to 14 May 2005
2006
- The Osian Asian, an Exhibition from the Osian's Archive & Library Collection, Curated by Neville Tuli, Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India
29 Jun 2006 to 19 Jul 2006
2007
- Changing Images: An Exhibition of 20th Century Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2009
- In Search of the Vernacular, Aicon Gallery, New York, USA
Tagore, Abanindranath (Artist). Exhibition of Early Drawings & Sketches of Abanindranath Tagore, 1991 | Solo Exhibition Invitation | 00859987
1900
- Government College of Arts & Craft, Kolkata, India (Inaugurated by Lord Curzon)
1902
- Congress Industrial Exhibition, Kolkata, India
1911
- Indian Society of Oriental Art's United Provinces Exhibition, Allahabad, India
- Festival of Empire, George V's Coronation, Organised by Indian Society of Oriental Art, at Crystal Palace, England
1914
- 22nd Exhibition of Societe des Peintres Orientalistes, France
- Retrospective, Imperial Institute, London, UK
- Francais, Grand Palais, Paris, France (Travelling to Belgium, Holland and Imperial Institute, England)
1915
- Young Men's Indian Association, Chennai, India
- Indian Society of Oriental Art Exhibition, Kolkata, India
1924
- Travelling exhibition organised by American Federation of Art & the Indian Society of Oriental Art in USA
1928
- Athenee Gallery, Organised by James Cousins, Geneva, Switzerland
1976
- Academy of Fine Arts and Rabindra Bharati Society, Kolkata, India
16 Aug 1976 to 27 Aug 1976
1978
- Academy of Fine Arts and Rabindra Bharati Society, Kolkata, India
01 Sep 1978 to 05 Sep 1978
1979
- Academy of Fine Arts and Rabindra Bharati Society, Kolkata, India
01 Sep 1979 to 07 Sep 1979
1991
2020
- The Great Maestro | Abanindranath Tagore, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
07 Aug 2020
Tagore, Abanindranath (Artist). Exhibition of Early Drawings & Sketches of Abanindranath Tagore, 1991 | Solo Exhibition Invitation | 00859987
1974
1975
1991
1996
- Nandan Gallery, Santiniketan, India
1997
- Intuitive Logic: A Festival of Indian Contemporary Painting, Presented by The Tuli Foundation for Holistic Education & Art (HEART) at, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
01 Mar 1997 to 19 Apr 1997
2000
- Face off 1900 - 1980s: An Exhibition of Indian Old Masters and Moderns, Curated by Santo Datta, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
15 Apr 2000 to 31 May 2000
2001
- Shatabdi: Reflections on A Century Past, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
05 Jan 2001 to 23 Jan 2001
- Shatabdi: Reflections on A Century Past, Organised by CIMA, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
30 Mar 2001 to 06 Apr 2001
07 Aug 2001 to 14 Aug 2001
- Art in Art Colleges of West Bengal, Presented by Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata, India
2002
- A Historical Epic: India in the Making 1757-1950, Art Today, New Delhi, India
01 Aug 2002 to 08 Aug 2002
- A Historical Epic: India in the Making 1757-1950, curated Exhibition-Auction by Neville Tuli, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
19 Jul 2002 to 27 Jul 2002
2003
- Manifestations: Indian Art in 20th Century from the DAG Collection, World Trade Centre, Mumbai, India
12 Nov 2003 to 19 Nov 2003
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
29 Nov 2003 to 13 Dec 2003
19 Apr 2003 to 19 May 2003
2004
- Manifestations II: Indian Art in 20th Century, 100 Artists from the DAG Collection, at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
25 Jul 2004 to 31 Jul 2004
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
09 Aug 2004 to 21 Aug 2004
2005
- Revisualising India, From The Osian's Archive & Library Collection, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
16 Aug 2005 to 02 Sep 2005
- Manifestations III: 100 Artists from the Delhi Art Gallery Collection, at Nehru Center, Mumbai, India
06 Apr 2005 to 12 Apr 2005
- Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
22 Apr 2005 to 27 Apr 2005
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
30 Apr 2005 to 14 May 2005
2006
- The Osian Asian, an Exhibition from the Osian's Archive & Library Collection, Curated by Neville Tuli, Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India
29 Jun 2006 to 19 Jul 2006
2007
- Changing Images: An Exhibition of 20th Century Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2009
- In Search of the Vernacular, Aicon Gallery, New York, USA
- Indian Art After Independence: Selected Works from the Collections of Virginia & Ravi Akhoury and Shelley & Donald Rubin, Emily Lowe Gallery, Hempstead, USA
2010
2011
- Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
- Circle of Art: The Three Tagores, on the eve of 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, India
2012
- Indian Landscapes: The Changing Horizon, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
- The Printed Picture: Four Centuries of Indian Printmaking, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2013
- Manifestations X: 75 Artists, 20th Century Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
01 Sep 2013 to 26 Oct 2013
2014
29 Mar 2014 to 15 Jul 2014
- Shifting the Paradigm : Masterworks of Indian Painting Before and After Independence, Aicon Gallery, New York, USA
12 Sep 2014 to 18 Oct 2014
2015
2016
2017
- Masterpieces Of Indian Modern Art. Edition II, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
01 Mar 2017 to 30 Jun 2017
2019
- Drishyakala, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
01 Feb 2019 to 12 Apr 2022
DAG (Organiser). Changing Images, 2001 | Group Exhibition Catalogue | 00883502
Chronicled Highlights
Economics of Art
Record-high lots11
Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators
Annual Auction Sale Turnover
It aggregates all sales across global auction houses into yearly totals.
Analysis reflected in the chart:
The turnover graph highlights periods of strong growth, moments of market correction, and resilience during downturns. Peaks often align with landmark works coming to public auction, while troughs may indicate reduced supply or weaker demand. Over time, the curve illustrates the overall trajectory of Abanindranath Tagore’s public auction market presence.
Average Sale Price Per Lot
It smooths out fluctuations caused by the quantity of works offered and focuses on the Average Sale Price level per artwork.
Analysis reflected in the chart:
Rising average sale prices indicate growing collector confidence and a stronger willingness to pay higher amounts per work. Assuming the mix of mediums remains relatively stable over time, the proportion of works on paper typically priced lower than works on canvas adds important context to understanding these market movements.
Square Inch Rate Trend
This allows fair comparisons between smaller works and larger canvases.
Analysis reflected in the chart:
The Square Inch Rate shown in the graph combines various medium types such as canvas, paper, board, and others. Historically, works on canvas and board have broadly commanded higher prices compared to works on paper.
1902-03
- Silver Medal for the painting 'The Passing of Shah Jahan', Delhi Durbar, Exhibition of Indian Arts & Crafts
Delhi Durbar
1903
- Gold Medal for the painting 'The Passing of Shah Jahan', Congress Industrial Exhibition, Kolkata
Congress Industrial Exhibition
1951
- Deemed National Art Treasure, Government of India
Government of India
Research Centre
Posts 2
- Tuli Research Centre for India Studies presents All Living Souls - Expressed in the Modern and Contemporary Fine & Popular Indian Arts Curated by Neville Tuli As part of launching the 16th Research Category for India Studies - "The Animal-Human-Nature-Continuum" we present a fascinating exhibition of modern and contemporary Indian fine and popular arts and their expression of the ideas and forms related to the dialogue between animals and humans, and the larger cosmic and spiritual thoughts which abide therein. Please visit the Exhibition and see the artworks by modern and contemporary masters such as Rabindranath Tagore, D.P. Roy Chowdhury, M.F. Husain, J. Swaminathan, J. Sultan Ali, Somnath Hore, Ganesh Pyne, Manjit Bawa, K. Laxma Goud, Krishna Reddy, Jyoti Bhatt, Rekha Rodwittiya, Amit Ambalal, among others, along with vintage and rare prints from the pioneering Indian chromolithographic presses such as Chitrashala, Ravi Varma, Calcutta Art Studio, Chore Bagan & Kansaripara.
- "What does 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗷 truly mean? Is freedom achieved at a single historic moment or period, or must self-rule be continually imagined, questioned and renewed? India's journey towards Swaraj was shaped not by one voice or one path, but through reform and resistance, revolution and non-violence, political thought, public protest, art, print, photography, cinema and the collective will of its people. The Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (T.R.I.S.) presents 𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗝: 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, a pioneering exhibition curated by Neville Tuli. Bringing together rare artworks, prints, photographs, books, film publicity art, political propaganda and visual-textual-audio archives, SWARAJ traces India's complex journey towards political self-rule and self-discovery. From early European coastal encounters, the Bengal Renaissance and the First War of Independence in 1857 to the rise of Bharat Mata, the Tiranga, Gandhiji's inspired satyagraha, civil disobedience and mass mobilisation, the exhibition explores how the idea of India was envisioned, contested and transformed. It journeys through revolutionary movements and non-violence, subaltern uprisings, the Partition, the Constitution, the integration of the Princely States, the Emergency, wars, civic dissent and people's protests. It also foregrounds the vital role of artists, photographers, publishers, newspapers, journals, cartoons and cinema in recording and shaping the nation's political consciousness. SWARAJ invites us to encounter history not as something distant or settled, but as a daily living inheritance that continues to influence who we are and how we understand freedom, identity, and ourselves today. Watch the video for a glimpse into this expansive visual journey, and follow the exhibition as it revisualises India's political history through art, image, text and sound.
Calendar 3
- UpcomingExhibitionProject 81SWARAJ - Revisualising India's Political HistoryAn Exhibition of Modern & Contemporary Fine & Popular Arts, Photography, Film Memorabilia and Visual-Textual-Audio Archive12th - 16th August 202610:00 AM - 7:00 PMVisual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi,The Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (T.R.I.S.) announces its seventh exhibition. “Swaraj – Revisualising India's Political History” -- An exhibition of Modern and Contemporary Fine and Popular Arts, Photography, Film Memorabilia and Visual-Textual-Audio Archives. Swaraj will open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 August 2026 at the Visual Arts Gallery and will remain open till 7 p.m. Sunday, 16 August 2026. Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (T.R.I.S.) presents SWARAJ | Revisualising India's Political History, a pioneering inter-disciplinary offline-online exhibition conceptualised and curated by Neville Tuli with Team T.R.I.S.. SWARAJ explores India's journey towards political self-rule and self-discovery through a remarkable collection of rare modern and contemporary fine and popular arts, albums, photographs, books, prints, propaganda, cartoons, film publicity artworks and other "text-visual-audio" archives contextualised within a clear historical framework, which defines T.R.I.S.' pedagogic approach to learning. The Exhibition will be of particular interest to students and scholars of India & Cultural Studies, and India's political and modern histories as well as those interested in the passage of events and ideas from the mid-1850s leading up to the turn of the 21st century. Unique to the Tuli Research Centre for India Studies is the richness of visual material that not only exhorts a deeper understanding of the art and archival materials on display but also brings alive the multi-layered narratives of the exhibition and naturally India's journey in being ad searching for herself.Read More →
- UpcomingOpening PreviewProject 82SWARAJ - Revisualising India's Political HistoryAn Exhibition of Modern & Contemporary Fine & Popular Arts, Photography, Film Memorabilia and Visual-Textual-Audio Archive12th August 20266:00 PM - 9:00 PMVisual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi,The Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (T.R.I.S.) announces its seventh exhibition. “Swaraj – Revisualising India's Political History” -- An exhibition of Modern and Contemporary Fine and Popular Arts, Photography, Film Memorabilia and Visual-Textual-Audio Archives. Swaraj will open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 August 2026 at the Visual Arts Gallery and will remain open till 7 p.m. Sunday, 16 August 2026. Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (T.R.I.S.) presents SWARAJ | Revisualising India's Political History, a pioneering inter-disciplinary offline-online exhibition conceptualised and curated by Neville Tuli with Team T.R.I.S.. SWARAJ explores India's journey towards political self-rule and self-discovery through a remarkable collection of rare modern and contemporary fine and popular arts, albums, photographs, books, prints, propaganda, cartoons, film publicity artworks and other "text-visual-audio" archives contextualised within a clear historical framework, which defines T.R.I.S.' pedagogic approach to learning. The Exhibition will be of particular interest to students and scholars of India & Cultural Studies, and India's political and modern histories as well as those interested in the passage of events and ideas from the mid-1850s leading up to the turn of the 21st century. Unique to the Tuli Research Centre for India Studies is the richness of visual material that not only exhorts a deeper understanding of the art and archival materials on display but also brings alive the multi-layered narratives of the exhibition and naturally India's journey in being ad searching for herself.Read More →
- ArchivedExhibitionProject 5Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Part IV Building www.tuliresearchcentre.org20th - 23rd February 2025Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Part IVRead More →