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Kanwal Krishna — featured artwork

Introduction

Zodiac sign
Capricorn
Age
83
Place of Birth
Mongomery, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan
Place of Death
New Delhi, NCT of Delhi, India
State Country of Birth
Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan
State Country of Death
NCT of Delhi, India

Chronicled Highlights 41940 – 1999

Kanwal Krishna — Mongomery, Punjab, Undivided India | Present-day Pakistan.
1940
Public Auction HighPainting
Bonhams · The Collection and Archive of Sir Basil Gould CBELondon · 05 June 2025
In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his enthronement (1940), offered in the The Collection and Archive of Sir Basil Gould CBE by Bonhams, which concluded on 05 June 2025 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹1,77,65,337.84 ($207,120.4). 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.
Krishna, Kanwal (Artist). Portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his enthronement, 1940 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,77,65,338
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 1,74,39,795 – 2,32,53,060
Rate per sq in
INR 25,168
Medium
Oil on canvas laid to board
Dimensions
27.2 × 26 in (69 × 66 cm)
Signature
Signed, dated and inscribed 'Kanwal/5-40/Lhasa' (l.r.)
Lot
36 · Bon.Lon/05.06.25
Provenance
The collection of Sir Basil Gould CBE. CIE. By direct descent to the current owners.
1951
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · Winter Online AuctionOnline · 14 December 2023
In 2023, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of A Tibetan Monastery (1951), offered in the Winter Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 14 December 2023 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹10,95,600 ($13,200). 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.
Krishna, Kanwal (Artist). A Tibetan Monastery, 1951 | Painting
Selling price
INR10,95,600
428% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,24,500 – 2,07,500
Rate per sq in
INR 7,409
Medium
Watercolour on paper
Dimensions
10.4 × 14.2 in (27 × 36 cm)
Lot
76 · Sa.Onl/14.12.23
Provenance
Property from the Jane and Kito de Boer Collection
1986
Literary Reference & Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series VIIIMumbai · 31 January 2007
‘Light reveals the secret of darkness…’
‘Shadows give form to Light; otherwise Light is all blankness…’
‘…In Art Forms, Light creates shadows and not shadows create
Light…’
‘…Light reveals to us; Darkness makes us conscious…’
‘ We can reach Light only through our shadows; otherwise the source
of Light we can never trace. The realisation of our own weakness is
the true source of our new energy…’
‘New Art Forms are born and not created…’

In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Homage To Light Series (1986), 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 ₹7,80,000 ($17,659). 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.
Krishna, Kanwal (Artist). Homage To Light Series, 1986 | Painting
Selling price
INR7,80,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 8,00,000 – 10,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 1,289
Medium
Mixed media on paper
Dimensions
20.9 × 28.9 in (53 × 73 cm)
Lot
109 · Os.Mum/31.01.07
1999
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Bonhams · Modern and Contemporary Indian PaintingsLondon · 16 June 1999
On 16 June 1999, Kanwal Krishna made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Preparing Curd was presented as Lot 30 in Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings, conducted by Bonhams 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.
Krishna, Kanwal (Artist). Preparing Curd, 1938 | Painting
Medium
Grey wash on paper
Lot
30 · Bon.Lon/16.06.99

Economics of Art

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