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Krishen Khanna — featured artwork

Introduction

Zodiac sign
Cancer
Place of Birth
Lyallpur, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan
State Country of Birth
Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan

Chronicled Highlights

19 entries
Krishen Khanna
Born
Krishen Khanna
Krishen Khanna — Lyallpur, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). News Of Gandhiji's Death. Oil on canvas, 1948 | Painting | FineArts | 00598488
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). News Of Gandhiji's Death. Oil on canvas, 1948 | Painting | FineArts | 00598488
In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of News Of Gandhiji's Death (1948), 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 ₹39,51,900 ($90,000). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Who?. Oil on board, 1971 | Painting | FineArts | 00372277
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Who?. Oil on board, 1971 | Painting | FineArts | 00372277
In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Who? (1971), offered in the Indian Contemporary Paintings: Islamic Works of Art and Indian, Himalaya and South-East Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 16 October 1995 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹3,62,848 ($10,582). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). The Anatomy Lesson. Black oil on canvas, 1973 | Painting | FineArts | 00373936
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). The Anatomy Lesson. Black oil on canvas, 1973 | Painting | FineArts | 00373936
In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Anatomy Lesson (1973), offered in the The Indian Sale by Sotheby's, which concluded on 08 May 1997 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹8,01,323 ($22,380). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). The Anatomy Lesson. Oil on canvas, 1975 | Painting | FineArts | 00561497
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). The Anatomy Lesson. Oil on canvas, 1975 | Painting | FineArts | 00561497
In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Anatomy Lesson (1975), offered in the Indian Art: Including Miniatures and Modern Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 22 March 2007 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,15,26,240 ($264,000). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled (Road to calvary). Oil on acrylic on canvas, 1974-1975 | Painting  | 00867251
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled (Road to calvary). Oil on acrylic on canvas, 1974-1975 | Painting | 00867251
In 2020, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Road to calvary) (1975), offered in the The Fine Art Sale including Property from the Estate of Tina and Bakul Khote, the Collection of Beroze and Michel Sabatier and a Distinguished Gentleman by Pundole, which concluded on 06 August 2020 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹2,40,00,000 ($320,602.3). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Doubting Thomas with Jesus. Oil on canvas, 1978 | Painting | FineArts | 00594820
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Doubting Thomas with Jesus. Oil on canvas, 1978 | Painting | FineArts | 00594820
In 2017, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Doubting Thomas with Jesus (1978), offered in the Modern & Contemporary Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 23 August 2017 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,37,21,738 ($213,976.88). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled. Oil on canvas, c.1980 | Painting | FineArts | 00548106
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled. Oil on canvas, c.1980 | Painting | FineArts | 00548106
In 2021, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1980), offered in the Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 28 December 2021 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹3,84,78,138 ($514,050.75). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). "Thou Sayest So" / "The Interrogation". Oil on canvas, 1980 | Painting | FineArts | 0022643
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). "Thou Sayest So" / "The Interrogation". Oil on canvas, 1980 | Painting | FineArts | 0022643
In ‘The Interrogation’ the rugged physique of the figures with their sun darkened bodies and rough callous faces are a representation of the labour class found in the Nizam-ud-din Bhogal area of Delhi, the figures of authority in military caps and Nehru topis are recognizably emblematic of the military and political establishment. ‘I have used them as metaphors of authority because that is what they have come to mean in our society today’. Khanna’s ‘Christ becomes emblematic of a resistance to persecution ... this is neither the healing Christ, the divine worker of miracles or the haloed Son of God but the persecuted figure within an oppressive system.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled. Oil on canvas, 1984 | Painting | FineArts | 00599652
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled. Oil on canvas, 1984 | Painting | FineArts | 00599652
In 2003, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1984), 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 ₹9,32,896 ($20,307). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled. Charcoal on paper, 1986 | Drawing | FineArts | 00376632
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Untitled. Charcoal on paper, 1986 | Drawing | FineArts | 00376632
When we talk about the social responsibility of an artist, we are expecting him to be some kind of social reformer. Isn’t it sufficient that he is doing his work and doing it well, and that in the performance of his work he is also contributing to a richer experience of life and existence? I don’t think the artist has to pay direct homage to life as such. The fact that he is working is, to my mind, sufficient. He is performing a very important function. He is serving through the best means he can. He continues to do his work and the work doesn’t have to be about life in any way. It is life itself. Art is a fait accompli.
Christie's (Auction House). Contemporary Indian Art (Charity Auction). 20 December 1987, Bombay | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861836
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Christie's (Auction House). Contemporary Indian Art (Charity Auction). 20 December 1987, Bombay | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861836
On 20 December 1987, Krishen Khanna made their debut in the Indian public auction market when ST. Francis and the Wolf was presented as Lot 14 in Contemporary Indian Art (Charity Auction), conducted by Christie's in Mumbai, India. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Pieta. Acrylic on canvas, 1988 | Painting | FineArts | 00600130
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Pieta. Acrylic on canvas, 1988 | Painting | FineArts | 00600130
In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Pieta (1988), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 25 March 2004 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹21,39,050 ($47,800). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Rearview. Oil on canvas, 1994 | Painting | FineArts | 00355329
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Rearview. Oil on canvas, 1994 | Painting | FineArts | 00355329
In a way bandwallahs are a relic of the past, a legacy of the British rulers, who now belt out Indian film tunes in traditional celebrations. The uniforms add grandeur and also give certain anonymity to them, almost like the military personnel.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Bandwallas In Procession. Oil on canvas, 1995 | Painting | FineArts | 00371913
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Bandwallas In Procession. Oil on canvas, 1995 | Painting | FineArts | 00371913
In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Bandwallas In Procession (1995), offered in the Indian Contemporary Paintings: Islamic Works of Art and Indian, Himalaya and South-East Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 16 October 1995 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹1,62,656 ($4,744). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Canonisation Of A Painter. Oil on canvas, 2002 | Painting | FineArts | 00600021
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Canonisation Of A Painter. Oil on canvas, 2002 | Painting | FineArts | 00600021
In 2003, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Canonisation Of A Painter (2002), offered in the Winter Online Auction: Modern Indian Paintings by Saffronart, which concluded on 04 December 2003 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹12,40,313 ($27,188). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Doubting Thomas & Jesus. Oil on canvas, 2005 | Painting  | 00880509
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Doubting Thomas & Jesus. Oil on canvas, 2005 | Painting | 00880509
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Doubting Thomas & Jesus (2005), offered in the Modern Indian Art: Summer Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 11 May 2006 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹88,11,000 ($195,496). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Lalaji And His Brass At Gyaniji's Dhhaba. Oil on canvas, 2005 | Painting  | 00881855
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Lalaji And His Brass At Gyaniji's Dhhaba. Oil on canvas, 2005 | Painting | 00881855
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Lalaji And His Brass At Gyaniji's Dhhaba (2005), offered in the Modern Indian Art: Winter Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 07 December 2006 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹99,77,935 ($223,420). 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.
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Krishen Khanna - A Retrospective. New Delhi: Saffronart, 2010 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue  | 00882373
Khanna, Krishen (Artist). Krishen Khanna - A Retrospective. New Delhi: Saffronart, 2010 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882373
In 2010, Krishen Khanna A Retrospective marked a major milestone in the exhibition history of Krishen Khanna, offering a retrospective survey of the artist's artistic production
Saffronart (Auction House). The Art of India Auction - 2nd Edition. 21 July 2022, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862439
Saffronart (Auction House). The Art of India Auction - 2nd Edition. 21 July 2022, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862439
In 2022, an artwork by Krishen Khanna was featured on the cover of Saffronart: The Art of India Auction (July 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Economics of Art

Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators

  1. Annual Auction Sale Turnover
  2. Average Sale Price Per Lot
  3. Square Inch Rate Trend
Currency

Annual Auction Sale Turnover

This indicator tracks the Total Annual Auction Sales value of Krishen Khanna’s artworks, beginning in 1987 through to the present.
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 Krishen Khanna’s public auction market presence.

Average Sale Price Per Lot

This measure calculates the Average Sale Price of all lots by Krishen Khanna sold each year.
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

The Square Inch Rate normalizes prices by the size of each artwork, showing the average sale value per square inch over time.
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.

Research Centre

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