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J. Sultan Ali — featured artwork

Introduction

Date of Birth
12 Sep 1920
Zodiac sign
Virgo
Date of Death
20 Sep 1990
Age
70
Place of Birth
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Place of Death
Calcutta
State Country of Birth
Maharashtra, India

Exhibitions

  1. 1946

    1. Paintings, Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai, India
  2. 1949

    1. Paintings, Theosophical Society, Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India
  3. 1956

    1. Contemporary Indian Art Exhibition Organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and USSR
  4. 1957

    1. First Southeast Asian Art Conference and Exhibition, Organised by the Art Association of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines

      02 Apr 1957 to 02 May 1957

  5. 1959

    1. Indian Contemporary Art Exhibition, Villa Hugel, Essen, West Germany
  6. 1960

    1. Contemporary Indian Painting, Presented by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi at UAE.
  7. 1961

    1. Indian Art Exhibition to Latin America, Organised by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, Government of India
  8. 1962

    1. Commonwealth Art Today, Commonwealth Institute, London, UK
  9. 1963

    1. Exhibition of Drawings by J. Sultan Ali, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, India

      08 Apr 1963 to 15 Apr 1963

    2. Paintings, Kumar Gallery, New Delhi, India

      10 Feb 1963 to 17 Feb 1963

  10. 1964

    1. Exhibition of Drawings by J. Sultan Ali, Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
    2. Recent Paintings by J. Sultan Ali, Kumar Gallery, New Delhi, India

      08 Nov 1964 to 15 Nov 1964

  11. 1965

    1. Ten Contemporary Indian Painters, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts & New Jersey State Museum, New Jersey, USA
    2. Fifteen Paintings and Three Drawings by J. Sultan Ali, Kumar Gallery, New Delhi, India
    3. Indian Contemporary Art to East Africa, Organised by Chemchemi, Nairobi, Kenya
    4. Art Now from India, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, UK
  12. 1966

    1. 33rd Biennale of Venice, Italy

      18 Jun 1966 to 16 Oct 1966

    2. National Exhibition of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
    3. 9th International Exhibition of Drawings and Engravings, Lugano, Switzerland
    4. Indian Art Exhibition, Gallery Contour, Belgium
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Chronicled Highlights 111965 – 2006

J. Sultan Ali was born in 1920 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.

1965
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · The Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art – Books, Paintings & SculptureNew Delhi · 15 October 2004

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Sea Goddess (1965), offered in the The Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art – Books, Paintings & Sculpture by Osian's, which concluded on 15 October 2004 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹6,61,529 ($14,425). 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.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Sea Goddess, 1964-1965 | Painting
Selling price
INR6,61,529
65% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 3,25,000 – 4,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 631
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
29.9 × 35 in (76 × 89 cm)
Lot
84 · Os.Del/15.10.04
1965
Public Auction HighDrawing
Osian's · Historical Series IIINew Delhi · 24 November 2006

In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Creator And The Creatures (1965), offered in the Historical Series III by Osian's, which concluded on 24 November 2006 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹52,80,000 ($117,673). 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.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Creator And The Creatures, 1965 | Drawing
Selling price
INR52,80,000
322% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 10,00,000 – 12,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 4,092
Medium
Pen and Ink on paper
Dimensions
21.9 × 59.1 in (56 × 150 cm)
Lot
34 · Os.Del/24.11.06
1965
Public Auction HighPainting
Bonhams · Modern and Contemporary South Asian ArtLondon · 10 December 2024

In 2024, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Nag-Puja (1965), offered in the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art by Bonhams, which concluded on 10 December 2024 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹66,44,017.85 ($78,300.24). 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.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Nag-Puja, 1965 | Painting
Selling price
INR66,44,018
108% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 22,00,000 – 32,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 4,038
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
34.3 × 48 in (87 × 122 cm)
Signature
S/d in Devanagiri and English 'Ali Sultan Ali 1965' l.r.
Lot
5 · Bon.Lon/10.12.24
1974
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

The painting depicts the Cycle of Life and Death. The Bull, powerful, stubborn, obstinate but magnificently imposing being, symbolizes force and radiates energy. The emphasis is on triumph of good forces over evil. In the panel on the RHS bottom corner of the painting are scripts in suggesting wisdom of Man and his thirst for knowledge. The round ball depicts the Sun the provider of Universal energy without which life would cease.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Jeevan Mrityu, 1974 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,87,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 2,50,000 – 3,25,000
Rate per sq in
INR 145
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
34.8 × 37.1 in (88 × 94 cm)
Lot
60 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1975
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality III: Indian Contemporary Paintings with Rare Books and Vintage Film MemorabiliaMumbai · 26 March 2004

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Om Simha (1975), offered in the Masterpieces & Museum Quality III: Indian Contemporary Paintings with Rare Books and Vintage Film Memorabilia by Osian's, which concluded on 26 March 2004 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹6,03,750 ($13,498). 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.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Om Simha, 1975 | Painting
Selling price
INR6,03,750
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 6,00,000 – 7,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 226
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
39.7 × 67.3 in (101 × 171 cm)
Lot
74 · Os.Mum/26.03.04
1982
Literary ReferenceDrawing
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

J. Sultan Ali is one of those artists who had taken to drawing as a complete medium of expression, indeed, much before it began being recognized as such… his delineations are quite different and have acquired a rare degree of originality… unlike many others, Sultan Ali’s mystification is not superficial or schematic, as it has nothing to do with the attempt towards achieving contrived, abstract, universal ‘truths’. There is a lot of movement in his drawings a constant preoccupation with experimenting in beautiful folk images common among the backward village folks whose imagination is conditioned by their incomprehension of the forces of nature. Therefore, it is possible to say that his drawings sustain interest, not because there is excessive ‘myth-making’, but due to the fact that various facets of man’s early civilized consciousness have been reinterpreted in a lively, though absolute terms. There is no heavy symbolism, nor abstract geometrical ‘discipline’, though its impact can be seen in some of the drawings…

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Surya-Shakti, 1982 | Drawing
Selling price
INR1,10,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 1,25,000 – 1,75,000
Rate per sq in
INR 466
Medium
Pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
15 × 15.8 in (38 × 40 cm)
Lot
62 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1986
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

Symbolically depicted here is a beautiful, well-formed village maiden with large and expressive eyes, eagerly moving forward with a smile on her lips in anticipation of good things in her future life. Instead she comes across persons green with jealousy, evil spirits (owls) and evil minded human beings. Yellow scripted figures on the top suggest good forces which will in the end help her overcome the hazards being faced.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Yanadhi Katha, 1986 | Painting
Selling price
INR4,95,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 142
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
54.1 × 64.2 in (138 × 163 cm)
Lot
63 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1987
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary ArtMumbai · 02 December 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Vrisabha Surya (1987), offered in the Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art by Osian's, which concluded on 02 December 2005 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹18,40,000 ($39,895.92). 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.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Vrisabha Surya, 1987 | Painting
Selling price
INR18,40,000
23% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 12,00,000 – 15,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 1,272
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
32.1 × 45.1 in (82 × 115 cm)
Lot
49 · Os.Mum/02.12.05
1989
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · The Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art – Books, Paintings & SculptureNew Delhi · 15 October 2004

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Adivasi Bhumi Mata (1989), offered in the The Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art – Books, Paintings & Sculpture by Osian's, which concluded on 15 October 2004 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹9,20,388 ($20,070). 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.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Adivasi Bhumi Mata, 1989 | Painting
Selling price
INR9,20,388
53% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 593
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
32.9 × 47.2 in (84 × 120 cm)
Lot
86 · Os.Del/15.10.04
1995
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable TrustNew York · 12 June 1995

On 12 June 1995, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Sonajard-Surya was presented as Lot in Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust, conducted by Sotheby's in New York, USA. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.

Ali, J. Sultan (Artist). Sonajard-Surya, 1975 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,98,637
27% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 94,215 – 1,57,025
Rate per sq in
INR 91.63
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
44 × 49.3 in (112 × 125 cm)
Lot
55 · So.NeY/12.06.95
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
2006
Featured on Auction Catalogue Cover | Os.Del/24.11.06Auction Catalogue
Osians · Historical Series IIINew York · 24 November 2006

In 2006, an artwork by J. Sultan Ali was featured on the cover of Osians: Historical Series III (November 2006, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Historical Series III. 24 November 2006 | Auction Catalogue
Lots offered
119
Lots sold
93 · 78%
Pages
208
Lot
Os.Del/24.11.06

Economics of Art

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Research Centre

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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 1

  1. Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series  Part IV Building www.tuliresearchcentre.org
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    Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Part IV Building www.tuliresearchcentre.org
    20th - 23rd February 2025
    Self Discovery via Rediscovering India Series Part IV
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