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.
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 191948 – 2022
Krishen Khanna — Lyallpur, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan.
When you paint a work you don’t know where it’s going to be. At that time all you are concerned about is how you are going to paint it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Economics of Art
Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators
Annual Auction Sale Turnover
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
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
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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