Ganesh Pyne | Tuli Research Centre for India Studies

Introduction

Date of Birth: 11 Jun 1937
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Date of Death: 12 Mar 2013
Age: 75
Place of Birth: Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Spouse(s): ME
Meera
Children: Son indranil
State Country of Birth: West Bengal, India

Exhibitions

1957
1. Centenary First Struggle for Freedom in India, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
1961
1. Birth Centenary of Rabindranath Tagore, Kolkata, India
1968
1. World Youth Festival, Prague, Czeckoslovakia
2. 1st Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
1969
1. Paris Biennale, Paris, France
2. Indian Painters 69, Max Muller Bhavan, Kolkata, India
1970
1. Contemporary Indian Paintings, Festival of India in Germany
2. Exhibition in aid of Menuhin School of Music, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
3. Presented by Society of Contemporary Artists, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
  12 Oct 1970 to 19 Oct 1970
4. Paris Biennale, Paris, France
1971
1. 2nd Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
1972
1. 25 Years of Indian Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
1973
1. Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Sixth Anniversary, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
  06 Feb 1973 to 18 Feb 1973
1974
1. A Handbook of Painting and Graphics, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
1975
1. International Festival of Paintings, France
2. 3rd Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
3. Contemporary Indian Paintings, Germany
1977
1. Exhibition of Contemporary Art 1977, Tenth Anniversary, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
  09 Jan 1977 to 30 Jan 1977
2. Pictorial Space: A Point of View on Contemporary Indian Art, Curated by Geeta Kapur, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  14 Dec 1977 to 03 Jan 1978
1978
1. Modern Asian Art, Glenbarra Art Museum, Japan
1980
1. Exhibition of Contemporary Art 1980, Thirteenth Anniversary, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
  09 Jan 1980 to 27 Jan 1980
2. Indian Painting Today, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
3. Contemporary Art of India, Japan
4. Modern Asian Art, Glenbarra Art Museum, Japan
1982
1. Modern Indian Paintings, Organised by National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), at The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C., USA
2. Contemporary Indian Art, Festival of India, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
3. Indische Kunst Heute, Darmstadt, Germany
1986
1. Visions, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata, India
2. Indische Kunst Heute, Darmstadt, Germany
1987
1. Exhibition of Illustrations for book on Wajid Ali Shah, Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
1988
1. Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
1989
1. Self Portraits, The Village Gallery, New Delhi, India
2. Annual Exhibition 1989, Twenty Second Anniversary, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
  09 Jan 1989 to 29 Jan 1989
3. Timeless Art, The Times of India Sesquicentennial, Mumbai, India
1990
2. 24 Aug 1990 to 02 Nov 1990
3. Annual Exhibition 1989, Twenty Third Anniversary, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
  09 Jan 1990 to 28 Jan 1990
4. Calcutta 300: Calcutta through the Eyes of Painters, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India
  07 Aug 1990 to 26 Aug 1990
1991
1. Jottings, The Village Gallery, New Delhi, India
1992
1. Jottings, The Gallery, Kochi, India

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Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Jottings (Preliminary Drawings for Paintings) by Ganesh Pyne, 1990 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882574

1987
1. Exhibition of Illustrations for book on Wajid Ali Shah, Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
1990
2. 24 Aug 1990 to 02 Nov 1990
1991
1. Jottings, The Village Gallery, New Delhi, India
1992
1. Jottings, The Gallery, Kochi, India
2. 21 Sep 1992 to 30 Sep 1992
1993
1. 20 Dec 1993 to 20 Feb 1994
1994
1. Sketches, The Village Gallery, New Delhi, India
1996
1. 15 Sep 1996 to 26 Oct 1996
1997
1. Retrospective of Works, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
1998
1. Ganesh Pyne: A Retrospective 1952-1998, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
2. 01 Oct 1998 to 27 Oct 1998
2000
1. 01 Jun 2000
2. Exhibition of Drawings, Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2001
1. 19 Jan 2001 to 15 Feb 2001
2005
1. 18 Apr 2005 to 24 Apr 2005
2006
1. 06 Jan 2006 to 04 Feb 2006
2010
1. His Mahabharata, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
  03 Dec 2010 to 08 Jan 2011
2013
1. A Tribute to Ganesh Pyne, Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
  13 Mar 2013 to 30 Mar 2013
2014
1. Ganesh Pyne, Akar Prakar, Kolkata, India
  28 Aug 2014 to 06 Oct 2014

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Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Jottings (Preliminary Drawings for Paintings) by Ganesh Pyne, 1990 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882574

Chronicled Highlights

31 entries

1937Born

Ganesh Pyne

Ganesh Pyne was born in 1937 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Baul. Gouache, 1959 | Painting | FineArts | 00376621

Pyne continued with the Abanindranathesque watercolours, around 1956, but his palette was becoming complex. Apart from Rembrandt, he was also influenced by Gaganendranath Tagore. A painting called ‘Descent’, of a woman coming down the stairs, points to a geometric division of space in the manner of Gaganendranath. It also shows the first signs of Pyne’s preoccupation with dark areas in painting.There were several significant works done in 1957. The first inklings of reconciling western and the Bengal School values of painting can be noticed in these. Pyne uses the delicate, naturalistic figuration of Abanindranath. He also introduces a narrative element from historical or mythological sources. But in the subtleties of colouring, introduction of dark areas, textural effects, he was appropriating the language of western masters.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Night Watch. Tempera on canvas pasted on board, 1962 | Painting | FineArts | 00336079

A glimpse of the notebooks reveals a stream-of-consciousness process. As the image takes concrete shape, he continues to develop it. Pyne is seen at his purest in the notebooks. The lines are precise, controlled, the drawing strong and potent. The images are enigmatic, lyrical, melancholy and haunted. One can see in these sketches, stripped off the seductions of colour, the architectonic quality that he wants to convey in the structuring of his images. And then[with] the crosshatchings he creates shadowy, mysterious, even terrifying dimensions.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Untitled. Mixed media on paper, 1960s | Painting | FineArts | 00599257

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1965), 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 ₹24,09,000 ($51,997). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Untitled. Oil on canvas, 1969 | Painting | FineArts | 00371717

In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1969), offered in the Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust by Sotheby's, which concluded on 12 June 1995 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹6,50,084 ($20,700). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Bloom. Tempera on canvas, 1969 | Painting | FineArts | 00372753

In 2001, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Bloom (1969), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 21 September 2001 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹18,30,381.25 ($38,125). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Swim. Tempera on canvas, 1969 | Painting | FineArts | 00599258

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Swim (1969), 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 ₹75,98,800 ($164,015). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Untitled (Laxmi Emerging from the Ocean). Tempera on canvas, late 1960s | Painting | FineArts | 00642977

In 2016, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Laxmi Emerging from the Ocean) (1969), offered in the The India Sale: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 18 December 2016 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹2,37,25,000 ($350,307.56). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Under The Red Cloud (Or The Amphibian). Pen and ink and watercolour on paper, 1970 | Painting | 00877059

In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Under The Red Cloud (Or The Amphibian) (1970), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Bonhams, which concluded on 16 June 1999 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹12,64,779 ($29,285). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Untitled. Tempera on canvas laid on card, 1970 | Painting | EconomicsArt | 00869636

In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1970), offered in the Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 17 March 2025 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹6,83,40,020.8 ($787,400). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Slumberland. Tempera on canvas laid on card, 1971 | Painting | FineArts | 00416577

In 2022, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Slumberland (1971), offered in the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 21 March 2022 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹4,02,90,483.24 ($529,200). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Winter Morning. Tempera on canvas laid on board, 1971 | Painting | FineArts | 00355190

In 2023, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Winter Morning (1971), offered in the Modern Treasures by Asta Guru, which concluded on 02 September 2023 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹5,95,38,462 ($720,239.59). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Animal. Tempera on canvas laid on card, 1972 | Painting | 00867586

In 2020, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Animal (1972), offered in the A Lasting Engagement: The Jane and Kito de Boer Collection by Christie's, which concluded on 23 September 2020 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹2,94,50,920 ($400,000). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Encounter. Tempera on canvas, 1974 | Painting | FineArts | 00373535

In 1996, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Encounter (1974), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings: One Hundred Years by Sotheby's, which concluded on 08 October 1996 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹7,78,960 ($21,877.83). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Encounter in the Twilight Zone. Tempera on canvas, 1974 | Painting | EconomicsArt | 00872574

In 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Encounter in the Twilight Zone (1974), offered in the South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 25 March 2026 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹23,63,01,100.5 ($2,515,000). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Spring. Watercolour with glaze on paper, 1975 | Painting | 00876895

In 1998, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Spring (1975), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 17 September 1998 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹10,74,994 ($25,300). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Crossing The Fountain. Tempera on paper, 1978 | Painting | FineArts | 00371263

In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Crossing The Fountain (1978), offered in the Islamic and Indian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 27 April 1995 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹3,78,160 ($12,047). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Crown. Tempera on paper on linen, 1978 | Painting | FineArts | 00598312

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Crown (1978), offered in the Southeast Asian and Modern Indian Paintings: Including Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 29 May 2005 at Hong Kong, achieving a sale price of ₹20,16,553 ($46,315). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Dream Conversation. Tempera and sand on canvas laid on board, 1978 | Painting | EconomicsArt | 00871550

In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Dream Conversation (1978), offered in the Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 30 September 2025 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹7,57,89,790 ($853,562.64). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Fisherman. Tempera on canvas laid down on card board, 1979 | Painting | FineArts | 00374036

In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Fisherman (1979), offered in the The Indian Sale by Sotheby's, which concluded on 08 May 1997 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹10,01,653 ($27,975). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). Untitled. Tempera on canvas laid on card, 1979 | Painting | FineArts | 00645659

In 2013, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1979), offered in the South Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 19 December 2013 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹2,30,25,000 ($369,109). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Wings. Tempera on Canvas, 1980 | Painting | 00880723

In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Wings (1980), offered in the International Modern & Contemporary Art: Including Arab Indian, Iranian and Western Art by Christie's, which concluded on 24 May 2006 at Dubai, achieving a sale price of ₹93,28,920 ($204,000). 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.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Door, The Windows. Tempera on canvas, 1980 | Painting | FineArts | 00594814

In 2017, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Door, The Windows (1980), offered in the Modern & Contemporary Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 23 August 2017 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹2,83,17,897 ($441,589.48). 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.

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Sotheby's (Auction House). The Times of India Auction of Timeless Art (Charity Auction) by Sotheby's of London. 26 March 1989, Bombay | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861837

On 26 March 1989, Ganesh Pyne made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Beerbahadur was presented as Lot 8 in The Times of India Auction of Timeless Art (Charity Auction) by Sotheby's of London, conducted by Sotheby's in Bombay, India. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.

Sotheby's (Auction House). Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings - One Hundred Years. 08 October 1996, London | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861848

In 1996, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings (October 1996, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Pyne, Ganesh (Artist). The Hand (Self-Portrait). Tempera on canvas, 1998 | Painting | FineArts | 00355283

One has to marry the subconscious feeling and bring it to some clarity and logical shape—so that it exists outside you. This sums up the endeavour of my artistic practice.

Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). India: The Passionate Detachment - Curated Auctions of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art and Books. 24 February 2001, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861871

In 2001, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of Osians: India: The Passionate Detachment (February 2001, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings. 05 December 2002, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861894

In 2002, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of Osians: Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings (December 2002, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Indian Modern & Contemporary Art. 18 March 2008, New Delhi | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861986

In 2008, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of Osians: Indian Modern & Contemporary Art (March 2008, Dubai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Asta Guru (Auction House). Modern Indian Art (No Reserve Auction). 21 December 2017, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862251

In 2017, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (No Reserve Auction) (December 2017, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

deRivaz & Ives (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Modern Indian Art of Bengal. 07 May 2022, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862426

In 2022, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of deRivaz & Ives: Modern Indian Art of Bengal (May 2022, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Pundole (Auction House). The Fine Art Sale - Including the Property from the Collections of Neerja and Mukund Lath and Dilip De. 13 September 2022, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862442

In 2022, an artwork by Ganesh Pyne was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (September 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Economics of Art

Research Centre

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All Living Souls
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.
2_FineArts 4_PopCulture 16_Continuum
A.L. Syed Abanindranath Tagore Amit Ambalal Amitava Das Anita Dube Benode Behari Mukherjee Bhupen P. Khakhar Bireshwar Sen +37 more
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