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K. Ramanujam — featured artwork

Introduction

Date of Birth
1941
Date of Death
1973
Age
32
Place of Birth
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Place of Death
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
State Country of Birth
Tamil Nadu, India
State Country of Death
Tamil Nadu, India

Exhibitions

  1. 1965

    1. Group Exhibition, New Delhi, India
    2. Group Exhibition, Chennai, India
    3. Commonwealth Arts Festival, London, UK
    4. Group Exhibition, Mumbai, India
  2. 1972

    1. Cholamandal Artists Village Exhibition, Organised by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, New Delhi, India
  3. 1973

    1. Exhibition of Drawings, Presnted by Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India

      04 Sep 1973 to 17 Sep 1973

  4. 1979

  5. 1986

    1. Indian Art Today, from Phillips Collection, Washington, USA
  6. 1996

    1. 28 Jul 1996 to 16 Aug 1996

  7. 1997

    1. Intuitive Logic: A Festival of Indian Contemporary Painting, Presented by The Tuli Foundation for Holistic Education & Art (HEART), National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India

      01 Mar 1997 to 19 Apr 1997

  8. 1999

  9. 2004

    1. Manifestations II, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
    2. The Underlying Spirit, The Inaugural Exhibition from Osian's Archive Collection, Curated by Neville Tuli, Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

      09 Nov 2004 to 18 Nov 2004

  10. 2005

    1. Manifestations III, Presented by Delhi Art Gallery, at Nehru Centre, Mumbai, India

      06 Apr 2005 to 12 Apr 2005

    2. Revisualising India, from The Osian's Archive & Library Collection, Curated by Neville Tuli, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India

      16 Aug 2005 to 02 Sep 2005

  11. 2009

    1. Indian Art Today - Four Artists from the Chester and Davida Herwitz Family Collection, The Phillips Collection, Washington, USA
  12. 2016

    1. Life in the Deep: K. Ramanujam and Kaushik Chakravartty, Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai, India

      03 Sep 2016 to 09 Nov 2016

  13. 2017

    1. Hanger for the Passer by Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Saket, New Delhi, India

      19 Apr 2017 to 28 Feb 2018

    2. Divine Intervention, Akara Art, Mumbai, India

      08 Sep 2017 to 28 Oct 2017

  14. 2019

    1. Gods, Goddesses And Mythologies, Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad, India

      17 May 2019 to 29 Oct 2017

  15. 2020

    1. Outside, Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai, India

      30 Aug 2020 to 30 Sep 2020

  16. 2022

    1. K Ramanujam's Mythopoetic Universe, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, India

      23 Mar 2022 to 31 Jul 2022

    2. K Ramanujam: Into the Moonlight Parade, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, India

      23 Mar 2022 to 13 Aug 2022

Ramanujam, K. (Artist). K. Ramanujam, 1979 | Solo Exhibition Invitation | 00859506
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Ramanujam, K. (Artist). K. Ramanujam, 1979 | Solo Exhibition Invitation | 00859506

Chronicled Highlights 111968 – 2012

K. Ramanujam was born in 1941 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.
1968
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From the Chester and Davida Herwitz CollectionNew York · 05 December 2000
In 2000, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1968), offered in the Contemporary Indian Paintings: From the Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection by Sotheby's, which concluded on 05 December 2000 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,96,560 ($4,200). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Untitled, 1968 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,96,560
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 2,34,000 – 3,74,400
Rate per sq in
INR 270
Medium
Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions
21.9 × 33.3 in (56 × 85 cm)
Lot
147 · So.NeY/05.12.00
Provenance
Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1968
Public Auction HighDrawing
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series VI: With Rare Drawings and Books on Indian Contemporary ArtNew Delhi · 01 March 2006
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Fantasy Series (1968), offered in the Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series VI: With Rare Drawings and Books on Indian Contemporary Art by Osian's, which concluded on 01 March 2006 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹4,02,500 ($9,076). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Fantasy Series, 1968 | Drawing
Selling price
INR4,02,500
303% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 80,000 – 1,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 8,970
Medium
Pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
7.6 × 5.9 in (19 × 15 cm)
Lot
18 · Os.Del/01.03.06
1968
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · South Asian Modern + Contemporary ArtNew York · 25 March 2026
In 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Procession) (1968), offered in the South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 25 March 2026 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹10,14,26,257.6 ($1,079,500). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Untitled (Procession), 1968 | Painting
Selling price
INR10,14,26,258
620% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 93,95,670 – 1,40,93,505
Rate per sq in
INR 89,171
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
24 × 47.4 in (61 × 120 cm)
Signature
S/d ‘K Ramanujan 68’ (lower right)
Lot
377 · Ch.NeY/25.03.26
Provenance
The Collection of Sara Abraham Thence by descent Acquired from the above
1969
Public Auction HighDrawing
Bonhams · Modern and Contemporary Indian PaintingsLondon · 16 June 1999
In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1969), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Bonhams, which concluded on 16 June 1999 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹1,26,478 ($2,928). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Untitled, 1969 | Drawing
Selling price
INR1,26,478
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 1,03,107 – 1,37,476
Rate per sq in
INR 516
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
11 × 22.2 in (28 × 57 cm)
Lot
76 · Bon.Lon/16.06.99
1970
Public Auction HighPainting
HEART · The Intuitive-Logic II: Modern & Contemporary Indian Paintings, Drawings, Graphics, Sculpture & TapestryMumbai · 15 November 1997
In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1970), offered in the The Intuitive-Logic II: Modern & Contemporary Indian Paintings, Drawings, Graphics, Sculpture & Tapestry by HEART, which concluded on 15 November 1997 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹75,000 ($2,041). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Untitled, c.1970 | Painting
Selling price
INR75,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 85,000 – 1,25,000
Rate per sq in
INR 600
Medium
Watercolour and wash on paper
Dimensions
10.2 × 12.2 in (26 × 31 cm)
Lot
142 · He.Mum/15.11.97
1970
Public Auction HighTapestry
Osian's · ABC Series III: Art, Book & CinemaNew Delhi · 29 March 2007
In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Fantasy Series (1970), 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 ₹18,60,000 ($42,788). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Fantasy Series, c.1970 | Tapestry
Selling price
INR18,60,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 16,00,000 – 20,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 1,778
Medium
Batik (Dye on cloth)
Dimensions
29.5 × 35.4 in (75 × 90 cm)
Lot
61 · Os.Del/29.03.07
1972
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 Untitled (1972), 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 ₹9,60,000 ($21,734). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Untitled, 1972 | Painting
Selling price
INR9,60,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 10,00,000 – 12,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 39,051
Medium
Acrylic on paper pasted on cardboard
Dimensions
5.1 × 4.8 in (13 × 12 cm)
Lot
102 · Os.Mum/31.01.07
1972
Literary ReferenceDrawing
Osian's · India: The Passionate Detachment: Curated Auctions of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art and BooksMumbai · 24 February 2001
Not to be able to do more than one thing well can sometimes be an advantage in creative work. It can invest it with an edge, intensity and dimension. A painter with this awesomely constricted mental spectrum tends to be a lonely soul, for the world has a trick of being brusque and impatient with him, driving him into his own inner self seeking refuge. Ramanujam was cruelly handicapped in many ways. It astounds one to think how he bore his cross for 33 years. Like Maugham’s Strickland, he clutched his solitary gift of painting like a drowning man a straw. His work already seems to assume a new dimension after his death, for it is pointed in message and guileless.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). My Dream World Series, 1972 | Drawing
Selling price
INR2,60,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 2,75,000 – 3,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 224
Medium
Pen and ink
Dimensions
39.2 × 29.6 in (100 × 75 cm)
Lot
7 · Os.Mum/24.02.01
1976
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable TrustNew York · 12 June 1995
In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of My Dream World I (1976), offered in the Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust by Sotheby's, which concluded on 12 June 1995 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹32,504 ($1,035). 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.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). My Dream World I, 1976 | Painting
Selling price
INR32,504
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 37,686 – 56,529
Rate per sq in
INR 476
Medium
Pen, ink and watercolour on cloth and on board
Dimensions
10.5 × 6.5 in (27 × 17 cm)
Lot
84 · So.NeY/12.06.95
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1995
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable TrustNew York · 12 June 1995
On 12 June 1995, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Ganesh was presented as Lot in Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust, conducted by Sotheby's in New York, USA. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.
Ramanujam, K. (Artist). Ganesh, 1973 | Painting
Selling price
INR72,232
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 94,215 – 1,57,025
Rate per sq in
INR 243
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
19.5 × 15.2 in (50 × 39 cm)
Lot
83 · So.NeY/12.06.95
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
2012
Featured on Auction Catalogue Cover | Os.Mum/21.06.12Auction Catalogue
Osians · Creative India Series 4New York · 21 June 2012
In 2012, an artwork by K. Ramanujam was featured on the cover of Osians: Creative India Series 4 (June 2012, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Osians (Auction House) and Neville Tuli (Curator). Creative India Series 4. 21 June 2012 | Auction Catalogue
Lots offered
91
Lots sold
47 · 52%
Pages
266
Lot
Os.Mum/21.06.12

Economics of Art

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