Skip to main content
TRIS logo image
Ganesh Pyne — featured artwork

Introduction

  1. 1955

    1. Diploma in Drawing and Painting, Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata, India

      1955 – 1959

Exhibitions

  1. 1957

    1. Centenary First Struggle for Freedom in India, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
  2. 1961

    1. Birth Centenary of Rabindranath Tagore, Kolkata, India
  3. 1968

    1. World Youth Festival, Prague, Czeckoslovakia
    2. 1st Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  4. 1969

    1. Paris Biennale, Paris, France
    2. Indian Painters 69, Max Muller Bhavan, Kolkata, India
  5. 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
  6. 1971

    1. 2nd Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  7. 1972

    1. 25 Years of Indian Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  8. 1973

    1. Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Sixth Anniversary, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, India

      06 Feb 1973 to 18 Feb 1973

  9. 1974

    1. A Handbook of Painting and Graphics, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
  10. 1975

    1. International Festival of Paintings, France
    2. 3rd Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
    3. Contemporary Indian Paintings, Germany
  11. 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

  12. 1978

    1. Modern Asian Art, Glenbarra Art Museum, Japan
20 of 200

Chronicled Highlights 331959 – 2026

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

1959
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

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). Baul, 1959 | Painting
Selling price
INR3,08,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 3,00,000 – 4,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 6,764
Medium
Gouache
Dimensions
7.6 × 6 in (19 × 15 cm)
Lot
95 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1962
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · Indian Modern Contemporary Fine ArtsMumbai · 26 October 2018

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). The Night Watch, 1962 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,02,00,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,50,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 30,924
Medium
Tempera on canvas pasted on board
Dimensions
15 × 22 in (38 × 56 cm)
Lot
42 · Os.Mum/26.10.18
1965
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 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, 1960s | Painting
Selling price
INR24,09,000
641% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,70,000 – 3,25,000
Rate per sq in
INR 30,142
Medium
Mixed media on paper
Dimensions
10 × 8 in (25 × 20 cm)
Lot
104 · Sa.Onl/08.12.05
1969
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable TrustNew York · 12 June 1995

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). Untitled, 1969 | Painting
Selling price
INR6,50,084
130% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,88,430 – 2,82,645
Rate per sq in
INR 2,007
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
15.2 × 21.3 in (39 × 54 cm)
Lot
50 · So.NeY/12.06.95
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1969
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian and Southeast Asian ArtNew York · 21 September 2001

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). Bloom, 1969 | Painting
Selling price
INR18,30,381
27% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 9,60,200 – 14,40,300
Rate per sq in
INR 4,379
Medium
Tempera on canvas
Dimensions
19 × 22 in (48 × 56 cm)
Lot
211 · So.NeY/21.09.01
Provenance
Another Property
1969
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 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). Swim, 1969 | Painting
Selling price
INR75,98,800
245% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 17,60,000 – 22,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 13,288
Medium
Tempera on canvas
Dimensions
26 × 22 in (66 × 56 cm)
Lot
105 · Sa.Onl/08.12.05
1969
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · The India Sale: South Asian Modern and Contemporary ArtMumbai · 18 December 2016

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). Untitled (Laxmi Emerging from the Ocean), late 1960s | Painting
Selling price
INR2,37,25,000
98% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 80,00,000 – 1,20,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 55,697
Medium
Tempera on canvas
Dimensions
19.3 × 22.1 in (49 × 56 cm)
Lot
141 · Ch.Mum/18.12.16
1970
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 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). Under The Red Cloud (Or The Amphibian), 1970 | Painting
Selling price
INR12,64,779
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 12,37,284 – 16,49,712
Rate per sq in
INR 3,056
Medium
Pen and ink and watercolour on paper
Dimensions
19.3 × 21.5 in (49 × 55 cm)
Lot
84 · Bon.Lon/16.06.99
1970
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Modern & Contemporary South Asian ArtNew York · 17 March 2025

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). Untitled, 1970 | Painting
Selling price
INR6,83,40,021
162% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,73,58,400 – 2,60,37,600
Rate per sq in
INR 1,11,874
Medium
Tempera on canvas laid on card
Dimensions
27.1 × 22.5 in (69 × 57 cm)
Signature
S/d in Bengali l.r.
Lot
58 · So.NeY/17.03.25
Provenance
Acquired at an estate sale, North Virginia, 2024
1971
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Modern and Contemporary South Asian ArtNew York · 21 March 2022

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). Slumberland, 1971 | Painting
Selling price
INR4,02,90,483
253% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 76,13,470 – 1,14,20,205
Rate per sq in
INR 92,943
Medium
Tempera on canvas laid on card
Dimensions
19.5 × 22.2 in (50 × 57 cm)
Lot
78 · So.NeY/21.03.22
1971
Public Auction HighPainting
Asta Guru · Modern TreasuresOnline · 02 September 2023

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). Winter Morning, 1971 | Painting
Selling price
INR5,95,38,462
644% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 2,53,463
Medium
Tempera on canvas laid on board
Dimensions
16.2 × 14.5 in (41 × 37 cm)
Lot
6 · AG.Onl/02.09.23
1972
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · A Lasting Engagement: The Jane and Kito de Boer CollectionNew York · 23 September 2020

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 Animal, 1972 | Painting
Selling price
INR2,94,50,920
167% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 73,62,730 – 1,10,44,095
Rate per sq in
INR 56,369
Medium
Tempera on canvas laid on card
Dimensions
22 × 23.7 in (56 × 60 cm)
Lot
420 · Ch.NeY/23.09.20
12 of 33

Economics of Art

20 of 50

Research Centre

Posts 1

  1. 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.

Calendar 4

  1. All Living Souls
    ArchivedExhibitionProject 79
    All Living Souls
    Expressed in Modern & Contemporary Fine and Popular Arts | Curated by Neville Tuli
    6th - 11th May 2026
    10:30am - 7:30pm
    Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003
    +5 more
  2. All Living Souls
    ArchivedOpening PreviewProject 78
    All Living Souls
    Expressed in Modern & Contemporary Fine and Popular Arts | Curated by Neville Tuli
    5th May 2026
    6:00pm - 9:00pm
    Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003
    +5 more
  3. 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
  4. 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

50