In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Portrait Of Sir Jamshedji Jijibhai (1910), offered in the Intuitive-Logic - The Next Step: Auctions of Indian Art - Classical, Folk, Tribal, Modern & Contemporary Traditions by HEART, which concluded on 28 November 1999 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹4,41,000 ($10,161). 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
- Date of Birth
- 26 Oct 1872
- Zodiac sign
- Scorpio
- Date of Death
- 1937
- Age
- 64
- Place of Birth
- Surat, Gujarat, India
- State Country of Birth
- Gujarat, India
1937
- J.J. School (Student of J. Griffiths)
1905
- Commissioned to make an album for Queen Mary on her India visit, containing watercolours of women from different Indian communities
1911
- Pithawalla left for Europe visiting Italy, Paris and London. He had a one-man show at the Dore Gallery in October in London
1934
- His Portrait of Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy was displayed in an exhibition of Modern Indian Art at the New Burlington Galleries in London
Exhibitions
1894
- Bombay Fine Art Exhibition, Bombay, India
1902
- Exhibition, Simla Fine Art Society, Simla, India
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
1907
- Annual Exhibition Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
- Simla Art Society, Simla, India
1909
- Annual Exhibition Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
1911
- B.A.S. Gallery, London, UK
- New Burlington Gallery, London. Exhibition, Royal Society of Portrait Painting, London, UK
1912
- Exhibition inaugurated by Her Excellency Lady Clarke, Hall of Elphinstone High School, Bombay, India
1939
- Annual Exhibition Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
2004
- Manifestations II, organised by Delhi Art Gallery at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2011
- Manifestations VI, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
24 Oct 2011 to 24 Dec 2011
2012
- Manisfestions VIII- 20th Century Indian Art, New Delhi, India
22 Nov 2012 to 29 Dec 2012
2013
01 Sep 2013 to 26 Oct 2013
2014
- Indian Portraits - The Face of a People, Delhi Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
29 Mar 2014 to 15 Jul 2014
2019
- Drishyakala, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
01 Feb 2019 to 31 Mar 2022
DAG (Organiser) and Kishore Singh (Curator). Indian Portraits, 2013 | Group Exhibition Catalogue | 00883522
1894
- Bombay Fine Art Exhibition, Bombay, India
1902
- Exhibition, Simla Fine Art Society, Simla, India
- Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
1907
- Simla Art Society, Simla, India
1907
- Annual Exhibition Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
1909
- Annual Exhibition Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
1911
- B.A.S. Gallery, London, UK
- New Burlington Gallery, London. Exhibition, Royal Society of Portrait Painting, London, UK
1912
- Exhibition inaugurated by Her Excellency Lady Clarke, Hall of Elphinstone High School, Bombay, India
1939
- Annual Exhibition Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
2004
- Manifestations II, organised by Delhi Art Gallery at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2011
- Manifestations VI, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
24 Oct 2011 to 24 Dec 2011
2012
- Manisfestions VIII- 20th Century Indian Art, New Delhi, India
22 Nov 2012 to 29 Dec 2012
2013
01 Sep 2013 to 26 Oct 2013
2014
- Indian Portraits - The Face of a People, Delhi Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
29 Mar 2014 to 15 Jul 2014
2019
- Drishyakala, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
01 Feb 2019 to 31 Mar 2022
DAG (Organiser) and Kishore Singh (Curator). Indian Portraits, 2013 | Group Exhibition Catalogue | 00883522
Chronicled Highlights 71910 – 1996
M.F. Pithawala was born in 26 October 1872 in Surat, Gujarat, India.
In 2018, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Diana of the Uplands (1911), offered in the Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 22 December 2018 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹49,30,254 ($70,255.86). 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 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Parsi Lady (1920), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern and Contemporary Indian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 31 March 2005 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹9,97,500 ($22,800). 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.
In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Portrait (1925), offered in the ABC Series III: Art, Book & Cinema by Osian's, which concluded on 29 March 2007 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹12,00,000 ($27,605). 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.
M.F. Pithawala was one of the greatest portrait painters of modern Indian art. Sir Jamshedji Jijibhai, a foremost philantropist & industrialist of his time, gifted funds to set up the Sir J.J. School of Art. His intention was that: “Under proper guidance, the people of India would attain a degree of proficiency in painting and sculpture which would lead to an extended taste for such objects…[and] would enable India once more to take up an advanced position among manufacturing countries of the world.”
In 2018, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Parsi Lawyer (1934), offered in the Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 27 March 2018 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹27,55,170 ($42,519.83). 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.
On 08 October 1996, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when A Hindu Brahmin 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.
Economics of Art
Record-high lots6
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 M.F. Pithawala’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.
1894
- Silver medal and cash prize of Rs. 70, Bombay Fine Art Exhibition, Bombay, India
1907
- Gold medal, Annual Exhibition, Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
1908
- Gold medal, Annual Exhibition, Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
1909
- Gold medal, Annual Exhibition, Bombay Art Society, Bombay, India
1911
- Awarded 24 Gold and Silver medals and 45 cash prizes
Research Centre
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Personalities
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