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)