M A R Chughtai | Tuli Research Centre for India Studies

Introduction

Date of Birth: 1894
Date of Death: 17 Jan 1975
Age: 81
Place of Birth: Lahore, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan
State Country of Birth: Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan

Chronicled Highlights 31935 – 1996

M A R Chughtai was born in 1894 in Lahore, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan.

1935

Public Auction HighPainting

Christie's · South Asian Modern + Contemporary ArtNew York · 22 September 2021

In 2021, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Krishna Instructing Arjuna (1935), offered in the South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 22 September 2021 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,84,50,650 ($250,000). 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.

Chughtai, M.A.R. (Artist). Krishna Instructing Arjuna, c.1930s | Painting

Selling price

INR1,84,50,650

400% above high estimate

Estimate

INR 22,14,078 – 36,90,130

Rate per sq in

INR 38,701

Medium

Watercolour on paper

Dimensions

24.8 × 19.3 in (63 × 49 cm)

Lot

687 · Ch.NeY/22.09.21

Research Categories

02Modern and Contemporary Indian Fine Arts

1936

Public Auction HighPainting

Osian's · Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series VIIIMumbai · 31 January 2007

In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Radha And Krishna Playing Holi (1936), offered in the Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series VIII by Osian's, which concluded on 31 January 2007 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,68,00,000 ($380,349). 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.

Chughtai, M.A.R. (Artist). Radha And Krishna Playing Holi, 1936 | Painting

Selling price

INR1,68,00,000

236% above high estimate

Estimate

INR 40,00,000 – 50,00,000

Rate per sq in

INR 42,574

Medium

Watercolour and wash heightened with gold on paper

Dimensions

22.3 × 17.7 in (57 × 45 cm)

Lot

5 · Os.Mum/31.01.07

1996

Image 1/2

First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting

Sotheby's · Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings: One Hundred YearsLondon · 08 October 1996

On 08 October 1996, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when A Woman holding a Lotus with a song Bird was presented as Lot in Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings: One Hundred Years, conducted by Sotheby's in London, UK. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.

Chughtai, M.A.R. (Artist). A Woman holding a Lotus with a song Bird, c.1920 | Painting

Selling price

INR8,34,600

88% above high estimate

Estimate

INR 3,33,840 – 4,45,120

Rate per sq in

INR 4,055

Medium

Watercolour over pen, heightened with bodycolour and with gold on paper

Dimensions

16.3 × 12.6 in (42 × 32 cm)

Lot

12 · So.Lon/08.10.96

Provenance

Various Properties

Economics of Art

20 of 50

Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators

Annual Auction Sale Turnover
Average Sale Price Per Lot
Square Inch Rate Trend

Currency

Annual Auction Sale Turnover

This indicator tracks the Total Annual Auction Sales value of M A R Chughtai’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 M A R Chughtai’s public auction market presence.

Average Sale Price Per Lot

This measure calculates the Average Sale Price of all lots by M A R Chughtai 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.