Skip to main content
TRIS logo image
F.N. Souza — featured artwork

Introduction

Date of Birth
12 Apr 1924
Zodiac sign
Aries
Date of Death
28 Mar 2002
Age
77
Place of Birth
Saligao, Goa, India
Place of Death
Mumbai, India
Spouse(s)
Maria figueiredo (m. 1946; div. 1964)barbara zinkant ​(m. 1965; div. 1977) ​partner liselotte kristian (1954–1961)srimati lal (1993–2002)
Children
5
State Country of Birth
Goa, India
State Country of Death
India

Exhibitions

  1. 1945

    1. Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
  2. 1946

    1. Silverfish Club, Bombay, India
  3. 1947

    1. Progressive Artists' Group: First Exhibition of Paintings & Sculptures, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai, India
    2. 57th Annual Exhibition, Presented by Bombay Art Society, Mumbai, India
  4. 1948

    1. 23 Nov 1948 to 30 Nov 1948

    2. Exhibition of Indian Art, Burlington House Gallery, London, UK
  5. 1949

    1. Bombay Art Society, Mumbai, India
    2. Progressive Artists Group: Exhibition of Paintings & Sculptures, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai, India
  6. 1951

    1. Indian Embassy, London, UK
    2. Retrospective Exhibition, Organised by Mr. V. K. Krishna Menon, then High Commissioner, India House, London, UK
  7. 1952

    1. Galerie St. Placide, Paris, France
  8. 1953

    1. Exhibition organized by ISME0 in Rome, Italy
    2. Galerie Pallette, Zurich, Switzerland
    3. Exhibited at Galerie R. Creuze, Paris, France
  9. 1954

    1. Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, UK
    2. Galerie R. Creuze, Paris, France
    3. Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
    4. Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, UK
  10. 1955

    1. Gallery One, London, UK
  11. 1956

    1. Gallery One, London, UK
20 of 385
Souza, F.N. (Artist). Francis Newton Souza, 1948 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882782

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Francis Newton Souza, 1948 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882782

Chronicled Highlights 731944 – 2022

F.N. Souza was born in 1924 in Saligao, Goa, India.

1944
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust Part IINew York · 03 April 1996

In 1996, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1944), offered in the Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust Part II by Sotheby's, which concluded on 03 April 1996 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹2,73,096 ($8,050). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Untitled, 1944 | Painting
Selling price
INR2,73,096
168% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 67,850 – 1,01,775
Rate per sq in
INR 1,029
Medium
Watercolour and bodycolour over pencil on paper
Dimensions
13.3 × 20 in (34 × 51 cm)
Lot
107 · So.NeY/03.04.96
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1948
Public Auction HighPainting
Bonhams · Modern and Contemporary Indian PaintingsLondon · 16 June 1999

In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Portrait Of M.F. Husain (1948), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Bonhams, which concluded on 16 June 1999 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹5,53,341 ($12,812). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Portrait Of M.F. Husain, 1948 | Painting
Selling price
INR5,53,341
15% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 3,43,690 – 4,81,166
Rate per sq in
INR 640
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
36 × 24 in (92 × 61 cm)
Lot
42 · Bon.Lon/16.06.99
1949
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian PaintingsNew York · 17 September 2003

In 2003, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Lovers (1949), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 17 September 2003 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹24,69,430 ($53,753). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Lovers, 1949 | Painting
Selling price
INR24,69,430
8% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 18,37,600 – 22,97,000
Rate per sq in
INR 1,907
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
36 × 36 in (91 × 91 cm)
Lot
154 · Ch.NeY/17.09.03
1955
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · Winter Online Auction: Modern and Contemporary Indian ArtOnline · 08 December 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Lovers (1955), offered in the Winter Online Auction: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art by Saffronart, which concluded on 08 December 2005 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹6,53,88,400 ($1,411,362). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Lovers, 1955 | Painting
Selling price
INR6,53,88,400
213% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,65,00,000 – 2,09,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 19,015
Medium
Oil on masonite
Dimensions
48 × 71.7 in (122 × 182 cm)
Lot
44 · Sa.Onl/08.12.05
1955
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · South Asian Modern and Contemporary ArtNew York · 17 September 2015

In 2015, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Birth (1955), offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 17 September 2015 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹26,93,05,667.5 ($4,085,000). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Birth, 1955 | Painting
Selling price
INR26,93,05,668
46% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 14,50,36,100 – 18,45,91,400
Rate per sq in
INR 58,462
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
48 × 96 in (122 × 244 cm)
Lot
709 · Ch.NeY/17.09.15
1957
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian PaintingsNew York · 17 September 2003

In 2003, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of London At Night (1957), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 17 September 2003 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹20,85,296 ($45,392). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). London At Night, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR20,85,296
89% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 8,26,920 – 11,02,560
Rate per sq in
INR 1,839
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
47.8 × 23.7 in (121 × 60 cm)
Lot
140 · Ch.NeY/17.09.03
1957
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · Modern Indian Paintings: Winter Online AuctionOnline · 02 December 2004

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Man With Crown (1957), offered in the Modern Indian Paintings: Winter Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 02 December 2004 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹31,68,563 ($71,655). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Man With Crown, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR31,68,563
1% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 27,00,000 – 31,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 2,839
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
47.5 × 23.5 in (121 × 60 cm)
Lot
46 · Sa.Onl/02.12.04
1957
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings from The Wilberding CollectionNew York · 20 September 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Row Of Houses (1957), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings from The Wilberding Collection by Sotheby's, which concluded on 20 September 2005 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹84,30,720 ($192,000). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Row Of Houses, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR84,30,720
7% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 52,69,200 – 79,03,800
Rate per sq in
INR 7,309
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
24 × 48 in (61 × 122 cm)
Lot
193 · So.NeY/20.09.05
1957
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian And Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern And Contemporary Indian ArtNew York · 21 September 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Girl With Hairpin And Girdle (1957), offered in the Indian And Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern And Contemporary Indian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 21 September 2005 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,25,08,416 ($284,800). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Girl With Hairpin And Girdle, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,25,08,416
185% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 35,13,600 – 43,92,000
Rate per sq in
INR 10,933
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
48 × 23.8 in (122 × 61 cm)
Lot
289 · Ch.NeY/21.09.05
1957
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · Winter Online Auction: Modern and Contemporary Indian ArtOnline · 08 December 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Tortured Indian Woman (1957), offered in the Winter Online Auction: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art by Saffronart, which concluded on 08 December 2005 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹1,28,26,000 ($276,840). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Tortured Indian Woman, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,28,26,000
224% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 35,20,000 – 39,60,000
Rate per sq in
INR 17,802
Medium
Oil on masonite
Dimensions
30 × 24 in (76 × 61 cm)
Lot
42 · Sa.Onl/08.12.05
1957
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · Evening SaleNew Delhi · 10 September 2015

In 2015, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Man and Woman Laughing (1957), offered in the Evening Sale by Saffronart, which concluded on 10 September 2015 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹16,84,00,000 ($2,529,136.13). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Man and Woman Laughing, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR16,84,00,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 15,00,00,000 – 20,00,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 58,482
Medium
Oil on Masonite
Dimensions
60 × 48 in (152 × 122 cm)
Lot
34 · Sa.Del/10.09.15
1957
Literary ReferencePainting
Saffronart · Evening SaleNew Delhi · 17 September 2022

To me, the images in the Head series represent suffering. I want to make others suffer, to make myself suffer. I have no desire to redeem myself or anybody else because Man is by his very nature unredeemable, yet he hankers so desperately after redemption. I wanted to hang myself on the cross with both my hands and feet nailed to it. To have arrows quivering in my neck like flies, while in the sweetness of lovemaking to repose in absolute bliss, the bliss of Ananda. That is what I have portrayed in these images.

Souza, F.N. (Artist). Broken Head, 1957 | Painting
Selling price
INR12,00,00,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 8,00,00,000 – 12,00,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 70,311
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
47.6 × 35.8 in (121 × 91 cm)
Lot
46 · Sa.Del/17.09.22
12 of 73

Economics of Art

20 of 50

Research Centre

20 of 3,718

Calendar 2

  1. Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series  Part IV Building www.tuliresearchcentre.org
    ArchivedExhibitionProject 5
    Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Part IV Building www.tuliresearchcentre.org
    20th - 23rd February 2025
    Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Part IV
    Read More →
    +16 more
  2. Self-Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Inaugural Exhibition
    ArchivedExhibitionProject 1
    Self-Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Inaugural Exhibition
    14th - 29th March 2024
    Inaugural Exhibition
    Read More →
    +33 more

Related

51