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Meera Mukherjee — featured artwork

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

Exhibitions

  1. 1941

    1. Painting in Oriental Style, Kolkata, India
    2. Group shows – paintings, sculptures and graphics, Delhi, India
  2. 1952

    1. Group shows of sculptures in West Germany
    2. Paintings and Sculptures, Kolkata, India
  3. 1960

    1. Sculpture and Painting, Max Mueller Bhavan, Kolkata, India
  4. 1966

    1. Sculpture, Gallery Chemould, Kolkata, India
  5. 1978

    1. Fourth International Triennale, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
  6. 1980

    1. Gorky Sadan, Kolkata, India
  7. 1981

    1. Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
  8. 1982

    1. Contemporary Indian Art, Festival of India, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
  9. 1993

    1. 11 May 1993 to 28 May 1993

  10. 1994

    1. Gorky Sadan, Kolkata, India
  11. 1995

    1. 02 Mar 1995 to 16 Mar 1995

  12. 1997

    1. Bronze Sculptures, Art Today, New Delhi, India
    2. Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
    3. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, India
  13. 2004

    1. The Margi and the Desi: Between Tradition and Modernity, Presented by Gallery Espace, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
  14. 2006

    1. Bronze, Organised by Gallery Espace, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
  15. 2008

    1. An Exhibition of Sculptures by Meera Mukherjee (1923–1998), Galerie 88, Kolkata, India
    2. Freedom 2008: Sixty Years after Indian Independence, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, India
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Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Sculptures Paintings Sketches by Meera Mukherjee, 1993 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882473
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Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Sculptures Paintings Sketches by Meera Mukherjee, 1993 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882473

Chronicled Highlights 121973 – 2022

Meera Mukherjee was born in 1923 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.

1973
Literary ReferenceSculpture
DeRivaz & Ives · Modern Indian Art of BengalOnline · 07 May 2022

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). Chintabid (Thinker), 1973 | Sculpture
Selling price
INR26,88,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 30,00,000 – 45,00,000
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
15.2 × 16.3 × 11 in (39 × 41 × 28 cm)
Lot
17 · De.Onl/07.05.22
1976
Literary ReferenceSculpture
DeRivaz & Ives · Inaugural Masterpieces SeriesOnline · 19 November 2022

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). Durga, 1976 | Sculpture
Selling price
INR53,76,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 60,00,000 – 90,00,000
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
17.2 × 22 × 10.6 in (44 × 56 × 27 cm)
Lot
15 · De.Onl/19.11.22
1981
Public Auction HighSculpture
Asta Guru · Modern Indian ArtOnline · 09 September 2021

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). Dancing Baul - 2, 1981 | Sculpture
Selling price
INR1,34,73,698
574% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
15 × 15 × 6 in (38 × 38 × 15 cm)
Lot
3 · AG.Onl/09.09.21
1985
Public Auction HighSculpture
Christie's · South Asian Modern and Contemporary ArtLondon · 26 May 2016

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). Untitled (The Storm), c.1980s | Sculpture
Selling price
INR1,09,33,986
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 79,16,008 – 1,18,74,012
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
10 × 23 × 14 in (25 × 58 × 36 cm)
Lot
36 · Ch.Lon/26.05.16
1985
Public Auction HighSculpture
Christie's · The India Sale: South Asian Modern and Contemporary ArtMumbai · 18 December 2016

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). People In A Row, c.1980s | Sculpture
Selling price
INR1,11,25,000
59% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 50,00,000 – 70,00,000
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
22 × 10.2 × 6 in (56 × 26 × 15 cm)
Lot
122 · Ch.Mum/18.12.16
1986
Literary ReferenceSculpture
Osian's · India: The Passionate Detachment: Curated Auctions of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art and BooksMumbai · 24 February 2001

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.

Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Building The Wheel, 1986 | Sculpture
Selling price
INR75,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 1,25,000 – 1,75,000
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
8 × 13.1 × 12.6 in (20 × 33 × 32 cm)
Lot
41 · Os.Mum/24.02.01
1989
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCSculpture
Sotheby's · The Times of India Auction of Timeless Art (Charity Auction) by Sotheby's of LondonBombay · 26 March 1989

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). Jagat, n.d. | Sculpture
Medium
Bronze
Lot
20 · So.Bom/26.03.89
1989
Public Auction HighPainting
HEART · Intuitive-Logic - The Next Step: Auctions of Indian Art - Classical, Folk, Tribal, Modern & Contemporary TraditionsNew Delhi · 28 November 1999

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). The Cart, 1989 | Painting
Selling price
INR89,250
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 1,00,000 – 1,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 188
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
18.1 × 26.2 in (46 × 67 cm)
Lot
252 · He.Del/28.11.99
1989
Public Auction HighSculpture
Osian's · 101 Rare Artworks from the History of Indian Modern & Contemporary ArtMumbai · 23 June 2010

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.

Mukherjee, Meera (Artist). Figure, late 1980s | Sculpture
Selling price
INR40,80,000
13% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 24,00,000 – 36,00,000
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
26 × 11.8 × 6.6 in (66 × 30 × 17 cm)
Lot
91 · Os.Mum/23.06.10
2009
Featured on Auction Catalogue Cover | Os.Del/21.02.09Auction Catalogue
Osians · Indian Modern & Contemporary ArtLondon · 21 February 2009

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.

Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Indian Modern & Contemporary Art. 21 February 2009 | Auction Catalogue
Lots offered
50
Lots sold
25 · 50%
Pages
107
Lot
Os.Del/21.02.09
2020
Featured on Auction Catalogue Cover | AG.Onl/28.06.20Auction Catalogue
Asta Guru · Modern Indian Art-No Reserve AuctionMumbai · 28 June 2020

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.

Asta Guru (Auction House). Modern Indian Art-No Reserve Auction. 28 June 2020 | Auction Catalogue
Lots offered
102
Lots sold
102 · 100%
Lot
AG.Onl/28.06.20
2022
Featured on Auction Catalogue Cover | Sa.Onl/19.05.22Auction Catalogue
Saffronart · The Art of India Online AuctionMumbai · 19 May 2022

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.

Saffronart (Auction House). The Art of India Online Auction. 19 May 2022 | Auction Catalogue
Lots offered
63
Lots sold
48 · 76%
Lot
Sa.Onl/19.05.22

Economics of Art

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Research Centre

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  1. All Living Souls
    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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