Introduction
- Date of Birth
- 12 May 1923
- Zodiac sign
- Taurus
- Date of Death
- 27 Jan 1997
- Age
- 73
- Place of Birth
- Calcutta, West Bengal, India
- Parent(s)
- Dwijendramohan mukherjee, binapani devi
- State Country of Birth
- West Bengal, India
1937
- Indian Society of Oriental Arts (ISOA), Kolkata, India
1937 – 1941
1947
- Diploma in Painting, Graphics & Sculpture, Delhi Polytechnic, New Delhi, India
1947 – 1951
1953
- Akademie der Bildenden Kuenste, (Painting, Sculpture, Etching & Lithography), Munich, Germany
1953 – 1956
1960
- Folk Metal Casting with Bastar Gharuas
1961
- Folk Metal Casting with Craftsmen from West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa; Metal Work with Nepali Sakya Craftsmen
1961 – 1962
1976
- Invitation to study Contemporary Art, German Cultural Exchange
1965
- Research Fellowship, Anthropological Survey of India
- Conducted a Survey of Indigenous Metal Artisans in India
1967
- Survey of Folk Metal Craftsman
Exhibitions
1941
- Painting in Oriental Style, Kolkata, India
- Group shows – paintings, sculptures and graphics, Delhi, India
1952
- Group shows of sculptures in West Germany
- Paintings and Sculptures, Kolkata, India
1960
- Sculpture and Painting, Max Mueller Bhavan, Kolkata, India
1966
- Sculpture, Gallery Chemould, Kolkata, India
1978
- Fourth International Triennale, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
1980
- Gorky Sadan, Kolkata, India
1981
- Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
1982
- Contemporary Indian Art, Festival of India, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
1993
11 May 1993 to 28 May 1993
1994
- Gorky Sadan, Kolkata, India
1995
02 Mar 1995 to 16 Mar 1995
1997
- Bronze Sculptures, Art Today, New Delhi, India
- Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
- National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, India
2004
- The Margi and the Desi: Between Tradition and Modernity, Presented by Gallery Espace, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
2006
- Bronze, Organised by Gallery Espace, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
2008
- An Exhibition of Sculptures by Meera Mukherjee (1923–1998), Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
- Freedom 2008: Sixty Years after Indian Independence, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
- Santhal Family: Positions Around an Indian Sculpture, Organised by Bodhi Art Gallery, at Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp, Belgium
- 3 Masters Briefly, Akar Prakar, Kolkata, India
- Expanding Horizons: Contemporary Indian Art, Presented by Bodhi Art Gallery, at various venues across Maharashtra, India
2009
- Modern Continuous, Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
2010
12 May 2010 to 13 May 2010
- Memories of Meera, Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
- Memories of Meera, Gallery Espace, New Delhi, India
- Memories of Meera, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
- Memories of Meera, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
2011
- The Intuitive: Logic Revisited, from the Osian's Collection, at The World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland
2012
- Meera Mukherjee: A World in Bronze, Supported by the I.C.C.R. (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and held by Akar Prakar Gallery, Kolkata and the Buchheim Museum in cooperation with the Indian Institute, Munich at Buchheim Museum, Bernried, Germany
2013
- Transition: 20th Anniversary Show, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
- Manifestations X: 75 Artists, 20th Century Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2016
- Mysteries of the Organism, Akara Modern, Mumbai, India
26 Feb 2016 to 15 Apr 2016
2017
- Hangar for the Passerby, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India
19 Apr 2017 to 28 Feb 2018
2022
- Common Ground: Meera Mukherjee and the carpet makers of Muzaffarpur, Chatterjee and Lal, Mumbai, India
19 Nov 2022 to 15 Jan 2023
- Meera Mukherjee: Photographs by Arun Ganguly, Project 88, Mumbai, India
17 Aug 2022 to 10 Sep 2022
2023
- Meera Mukherjee: Life in All Things, Akar Prakar, Delhi, India
28 Apr 2023 to 26 May 2023
- Out of Place: Journeys Through Indian Art, Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation, Mumbai, India
18 Oct 2023 to 19 Feb 2024
- Iconic: Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art Edition 03, DAG Modern, New Delhi, India
26 Nov 2023 to 16 Dec 2023
2024
- Of Spaces of Their Own: Women Artists in 20th Century India, Akar Prakar, New Delhi, India
19 Sep 2024
- Outside In: Meera Mukherjee and Jaidev Baghel, Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
23 Mar 2024 to 20 Oct 2024
- The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975–1998, Barbican Art Gallery, London, UK
05 Oct 2024 to 05 Jan 2025
- Of Spaces of Their Own: Women Artists in 20th Century, Akar Prakar, New Delhi, India
19 Sep 2024 to 15 Oct 2024
- Of Spaces of Their Own: Women Artists in 20th Century, Akar Prakar, Kolkata, India
09 Dec 2024 to 11 Jan 2025
- Moulding Outlines – A Sculptural Survey, Akar Prakar, The Stainless Gallery, Delhi
08 Oct 2024 to 25 Oct 2024
1 / 3
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Sculptures Paintings Sketches by Meera Mukherjee, 1993 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882473
1941
- Painting in Oriental Style, Kolkata, India
1952
- Paintings and Sculptures, Kolkata, India
1960
- Sculpture and Painting, Max Mueller Bhavan, Kolkata, India
1966
- Sculpture, Gallery Chemould, Kolkata, India
1980
- Gorky Sadan, Kolkata, India
1981
- Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
1993
11 May 1993 to 28 May 1993
1994
- Gorky Sadan, Kolkata, India
1995
02 Mar 1995 to 16 Mar 1995
1997
- Bronze Sculptures, Art Today, New Delhi, India
- Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
2008
- An Exhibition of Sculptures by Meera Mukherjee (1923–1998), Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
2010
12 May 2010 to 13 May 2010
- Memories of Meera, Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
- Memories of Meera, Gallery Espace, New Delhi, India
- Memories of Meera, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
- Memories of Meera, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
2012
- Meera Mukherjee: A World in Bronze, Supported by the I.C.C.R. (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and held by Akar Prakar Gallery, Kolkata and the Buchheim Museum in cooperation with the Indian Institute, Munich at Buchheim Museum, Bernried, Germany
2022
- Common Ground: Meera Mukherjee and the carpet makers of Muzaffarpur, Chatterjee and Lal, Mumbai, India
19 Nov 2022 to 15 Jan 2023
- Meera Mukherjee: Photographs by Arun Ganguly, Project 88, Mumbai, India
17 Aug 2022 to 10 Sep 2022
2023
- Meera Mukherjee: Life in All Things, Akar Prakar, Delhi, India
28 Apr 2023 to 26 May 2023
1 / 3
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Sculptures Paintings Sketches by Meera Mukherjee, 1993 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882473
1941
- Group shows – paintings, sculptures and graphics, Delhi, India
1952
- Group shows of sculptures in West Germany
1978
- Fourth International Triennale, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
1982
- Contemporary Indian Art, Festival of India, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
1997
- National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, India
2004
- The Margi and the Desi: Between Tradition and Modernity, Presented by Gallery Espace, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
2006
- Bronze, Organised by Gallery Espace, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
2008
- Freedom 2008: Sixty Years after Indian Independence, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
- Santhal Family: Positions Around an Indian Sculpture, Organised by Bodhi Art Gallery, at Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp, Belgium
- 3 Masters Briefly, Akar Prakar, Kolkata, India
- Expanding Horizons: Contemporary Indian Art, Presented by Bodhi Art Gallery, at various venues across Maharashtra, India
2009
- Modern Continuous, Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
2011
- The Intuitive: Logic Revisited, from the Osian's Collection, at The World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland
2013
- Transition: 20th Anniversary Show, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
- Manifestations X: 75 Artists, 20th Century Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
2016
- Mysteries of the Organism, Akara Modern, Mumbai, India
26 Feb 2016 to 15 Apr 2016
2017
- Hangar for the Passerby, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India
19 Apr 2017 to 28 Feb 2018
2023
- Out of Place: Journeys Through Indian Art, Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation, Mumbai, India
18 Oct 2023 to 19 Feb 2024
- Iconic: Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art Edition 03, DAG Modern, New Delhi, India
26 Nov 2023 to 16 Dec 2023
2024
- Of Spaces of Their Own: Women Artists in 20th Century India, Akar Prakar, New Delhi, India
19 Sep 2024
- Outside In: Meera Mukherjee and Jaidev Baghel, Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
23 Mar 2024 to 20 Oct 2024
- The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975–1998, Barbican Art Gallery, London, UK
05 Oct 2024 to 05 Jan 2025
- Of Spaces of Their Own: Women Artists in 20th Century, Akar Prakar, New Delhi, India
19 Sep 2024 to 15 Oct 2024
- Of Spaces of Their Own: Women Artists in 20th Century, Akar Prakar, Kolkata, India
09 Dec 2024 to 11 Jan 2025
- Moulding Outlines – A Sculptural Survey, Akar Prakar, The Stainless Gallery, Delhi
08 Oct 2024 to 25 Oct 2024
Chronicled Highlights
12 entries
1923Born
Meera Mukherjee
Meera Mukherjee was born in 1923 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Chintabid (Thinker). Bronze, 1973 | Sculpture | FineArts | 00417158
The bronzes of Meera Mukherjee... are independent formulations of problems which are contemporary, which focus on her interpretations of present life and society. Yet they speak through a language of form and idiom that is traditional through techniques learnt from the bell metal artisan-workers of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh…Her bronzes are concerned with the human figure – focused essentially on the human predicament… They have an inner voice, an almost subtle subconscious appeal, through images and forms that are somehow familiar, and therefore insistent on an immediate response from the viewer…
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Durga. Bronze, 1976 | Sculpture | FineArts | 00419206
In the work of Meera Mukherjee, the assimilation of the past is sensed and felt in both technique and sensibility. Her images belong to a genre of expression in the making – literally, as it were, in the crucible. Her research acknowledges her debt to the traditional image-makers, in the technique of bronze-casting learnt from the Gharuas of Bastar. It is an understanding not only of technique but also of inspired form and movement; and more than that, the assertion of a worldview that finds concurrence with the tribals of Madhya Pradesh.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Dancing Baul - 2. Bronze, 1981 | Sculpture | FineArts | 00546759
In 2021, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Dancing Baul - 2 (1981), offered in the Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 09 September 2021 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹1,34,73,698 ($182,846.19). 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.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Untitled (The Storm). Bronze, c.1980s | Sculpture | FineArts | 00641843
In 2016, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (The Storm) (1985), offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 26 May 2016 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹1,09,33,986 ($162,501). 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.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). People In A Row. Bronze, c.1980s | Sculpture | FineArts | 00643169
In 2016, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of People In A Row (1985), offered in the The India Sale: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 18 December 2016 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,11,25,000 ($164,264.35). 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.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Building The Wheel. Bronze, 1986 | Sculpture | FineArts | 00371636
The sculptures of Meera Mukherjee have always been a tremendously moving experience for the viewer. The rare and instinctive quality of romanticism is irrevocably reinforced by technical brilliance and expressive artistry… The ordinary men and women, the toiling masses are now a part of the well recognised Meera Mukherjee signature… Combining popular appeal with real artistic quality and purity of vision she has emerged as India’s Dickens of sculpture. Her art is immediately accessible. Diverting, yet intellectually demanding… The surface for her is never more important than form, the part never more telling than the whole… It is not the manual dexterity involved in the technicalities but the vision which creates the ecstasy of communication. Her sculpture always gives the impression of the whole thing driven as though by a single creative impulse.
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Sotheby's (Auction House). The Times of India Auction of Timeless Art (Charity Auction) by Sotheby's of London. 26 March 1989, Bombay | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861837
On 26 March 1989, Meera Mukherjee made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Jagat was presented as Lot 20 in The Times of India Auction of Timeless Art (Charity Auction) by Sotheby's of London, conducted by Sotheby's in Bombay, India. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). The Cart. Oil on canvas, 1989 | Painting | 00877584
In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Cart (1989), 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 ₹89,250 ($2,056). 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.
Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Figure. Brass, late 1980s | Sculpture | FineArts | 00755841
In 2010, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Figure (1989), offered in the 101 Rare Artworks from the History of Indian Modern & Contemporary Art by Osian's, which concluded on 23 June 2010 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹40,80,000 ($88,102). 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.
Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Indian Modern & Contemporary Art. 21 February 2009, New Delhi | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862028
In 2009, an artwork by Meera Mukherjee was featured on the cover of Osians: Indian Modern & Contemporary Art (February 2009, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Asta Guru (Auction House). Modern Indian Art-No Reserve Auction. 28 June 2020, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862349
In 2020, an artwork by Meera Mukherjee was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art-No Reserve Auction (June 2020, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Saffronart (Auction House). The Art of India Online Auction. 19 May 2022, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862428
In 2022, an artwork by Meera Mukherjee was featured on the cover of Saffronart: The Art of India Online Auction (May 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Economics of Art
Currency
This section showcases auction lots that achieved record-high sale prices, tracked by the date each record was set based on the artist's historical auction data.
Record-high lots12
Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators
Currency
Annual Auction Sale Turnover
This indicator tracks the Total Annual Auction Sales value of Meera Mukherjee’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 Meera Mukherjee’s public auction market presence.
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 Meera Mukherjee’s public auction market presence.
Average Sale Price Per Lot
This measure calculates the Average Sale Price of all lots by Meera Mukherjee 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.
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.
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.
1968
- President's Award, Master Craftsman in Metalwork, New Delhi, India
1980
- Abanindranath Puruskar, West Bengal Government
1992
- Padma Shri, Government of India
Research Centre
Posts 1
- Tuli Research Centre for India Studies presents All Living Souls - Expressed in the Modern and Contemporary Fine & Popular Indian Arts Curated by Neville Tuli As part of launching the 16th Research Category for India Studies - "The Animal-Human-Nature-Continuum" we present a fascinating exhibition of modern and contemporary Indian fine and popular arts and their expression of the ideas and forms related to the dialogue between animals and humans, and the larger cosmic and spiritual thoughts which abide therein. Please visit the Exhibition and see the artworks by modern and contemporary masters such as Rabindranath Tagore, D.P. Roy Chowdhury, M.F. Husain, J. Swaminathan, J. Sultan Ali, Somnath Hore, Ganesh Pyne, Manjit Bawa, K. Laxma Goud, Krishna Reddy, Jyoti Bhatt, Rekha Rodwittiya, Amit Ambalal, among others, along with vintage and rare prints from the pioneering Indian chromolithographic presses such as Chitrashala, Ravi Varma, Calcutta Art Studio, Chore Bagan & Kansaripara.
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Institutions
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Themes
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