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Laxman Pai — featured artwork

Introduction

Date of Birth
21 Jan 1926
Zodiac sign
Aquarius
Place of Birth
Madgaon, Goa, India
State Country of Birth
Goa, India

Chronicled Highlights 141948 – 1996

Laxman Pai was born in 1926 in Madgaon, Goa, India.
1948
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian Miniatures The Travel Sale - India and The Far East Modern and Contemporary South Asian PaintingsLondon · 08 June 2000
In 2000, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Water Carriers (1948), offered in the Indian Miniatures The Travel Sale - India and The Far East Modern and Contemporary South Asian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 08 June 2000 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹1,22,478 ($2,735). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Water Carriers, 1948 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,22,478
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 2,04,130 – 3,40,216
Rate per sq in
INR 279
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
18.9 × 23.2 in (48 × 59 cm)
Lot
217 · So.Lon/08.06.00
1948
Public Auction HighPainting
Pundole · The Fine Art Sale: Including Works from the Collection of Roshan Sabavala and Emanuel SchlesingerMumbai · 03 November 2015
In 2015, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of A Market Scene (1948), offered in the The Fine Art Sale: Including Works from the Collection of Roshan Sabavala and Emanuel Schlesinger by Pundole, which concluded on 03 November 2015 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹32,00,000 ($44,382.31). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). A Market Scene, 1948 | Painting
Selling price
INR32,00,000
967% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,00,000 – 3,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 6,586
Medium
Gouache on paper
Dimensions
25.2 × 19.3 in (64 × 49 cm)
Lot
42 · Pu.Mum/03.11.15
Provenance
Collection of Roshan Sabavala and Emanuel Schlesinger, Mumbai
1951
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · India: The Passionate Detachment: Curated Auctions of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art and BooksMumbai · 24 February 2001
In 1951 Pai left for Paris… However, he remained an expatriate with unabated nostalgia for the verdant images of his own country, Goa, its landscapes and people. The influence of the ideologies of the modern West seems to have been marginal, a certain post-expressionistic tendency is seen in some of his later work. Perhaps the design element became much more obtrusive with an unusually strong structural emphasis but the stylised severity of the line, flatness of colours and keen sense of decoration continued. There is a certain geometrical, intellectual trait which his style acquired in Europe.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Three Goan Women, 1951 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,05,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 75,000 – 1,25,000
Rate per sq in
INR 854
Medium
Tempera on card
Dimensions
10.2 × 12 in (26 × 31 cm)
Lot
140 · Os.Mum/24.02.01
1954
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Forty Masterpieces Museum Quality Series VIIMumbai · 09 September 2006
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of House (Paris) (1954), offered in the Forty Masterpieces Museum Quality Series VII by Osian's, which concluded on 09 September 2006 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹15,60,000 ($33,715). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). House (Paris), 1954 | Painting
Selling price
INR15,60,000
56% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 8,00,000 – 10,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 5,351
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
14.2 × 20.5 in (36 × 52 cm)
Lot
26 · Os.Mum/09.09.06
1958
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · The Indian SaleLondon · 23 May 2006
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1958), offered in the The Indian Sale by Sotheby's, which concluded on 23 May 2006 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹8,75,058 ($19,224). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Untitled, 1958 | Painting
Selling price
INR8,75,058
240% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,71,580 – 2,57,370
Rate per sq in
INR 2,600
Medium
Watercolour on paper
Dimensions
23.4 × 14.4 in (60 × 37 cm)
Lot
132 · So.Lon/23.05.06
1959
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · 25th Anniversary SaleOnline · 03 April 2025
In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Church (1959), offered in the 25th Anniversary Sale by Saffronart, which concluded on 03 April 2025 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹48,00,000 ($56,471). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Church, 1959 | Painting
Selling price
INR48,00,000
167% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 15,00,000 – 18,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 13,949
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
14.6 × 23.6 in (37 × 60 cm)
Signature
Signed in Devnagari and further signed, inscribed and dated 'Laxman Pai/ London/ 4/59' (lower right)
Lot
115 · Sa.Onl/03.04.25
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist Thence by descent Auction by Kalck et Associés, 6 July 2023, lot 73 Private Collection, New Delhi
1960
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Modern and Contemporary Indian PaintingsNew York · 10 October 1997
In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Genesis (1960), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 10 October 1997 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹34,256 ($945). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Genesis, 1960 | Painting
Selling price
INR34,256
35% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 18,105 – 25,347
Rate per sq in
INR 72.75
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
24 × 19.6 in (61 × 50 cm)
Lot
148 · So.NeY/10.10.97
1963
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality III: Indian Contemporary Paintings with Rare Books and Vintage Film MemorabiliaMumbai · 26 March 2004
In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Birds (1963), offered in the Masterpieces & Museum Quality III: Indian Contemporary Paintings with Rare Books and Vintage Film Memorabilia by Osian's, which concluded on 26 March 2004 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,95,500 ($4,371). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Birds, 1963 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,95,500
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 2,25,000 – 3,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 344
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
17.7 × 32.1 in (45 × 82 cm)
Lot
50 · Os.Mum/26.03.04
1963
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Sublime Shadows: South Asian Art from a Distinguished CollectionNew York · 11 June2026
In 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Cactus (1963), offered in the Sublime Shadows: South Asian Art from a Distinguished Collection by Christie's, which concluded on 11 June2026 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹56,91,782.5 ($59,462.52). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Cactus, 1963 | Painting
Selling price
INR56,91,782
789% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 3,84,147 – 6,40,246
Rate per sq in
INR 9,986
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
17.9 × 31.9 in (45 × 81 cm)
Signature
signed in Hindi and signed and dated 'Laxman Pai 63' (upper right)
Lot
59 · Ch.NeY/11.06.26
Provenance
Private Collection, Philadelphia Sotheby's New York, 10 October 1997, lot 146 Acquired from the above
1965
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Modern and Contemporary Indian PaintingsNew York · 10 October 1997
In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Greenery (1965), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 10 October 1997 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹37,156 ($1,025). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Greenery, 1965 | Painting
Selling price
INR37,156
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 54,315 – 72,420
Rate per sq in
INR 27.24
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
43 × 31.7 in (109 × 81 cm)
Lot
147 · So.NeY/10.10.97
1965
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Sublime Shadows: South Asian Art from a Distinguished CollectionNew York · 11 June2026
In 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Raag Todi (1965), offered in the Sublime Shadows: South Asian Art from a Distinguished Collection by Christie's, which concluded on 11 June2026 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹73,18,006.07 ($76,451.82). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Raag Todi, 1965 | Painting
Selling price
INR73,18,006
1043% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 3,84,147 – 6,40,246
Rate per sq in
INR 4,066
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
50.5 × 35.6 in (128 × 91 cm)
Signature
signed in Marathi and signed and dated 'Laxman Pai 65' (lower right)
Lot
62 · Ch.NeY/11.06.26
Provenance
The Collection of Ute and Rolf Rettberg Sotheby's New York, 20 September 2002, lot 151 Acquired from the above
1969
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Modern and Contemporary Indian PaintingsNew York · 10 October 1997
In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Mother and Child (1969), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 10 October 1997 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹20,844 ($575). 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Mother and Child, 1969 | Painting
Selling price
INR20,844
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 21,726 – 28,968
Rate per sq in
INR 18.29
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
38 × 30 in (97 × 76 cm)
Lot
149 · So.NeY/10.10.97
1987
Retrospective ExhibitionSolo Exhibition Catalogue
Laxman Pai · Laxman PaiKala Academy
In 1987, Laxman Pai Retrospective 1947-87 marked a major milestone in the exhibition history of Laxman Pai, offering a retrospective survey of the artist's artistic production
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Laxman Pai, 1987 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882897
1996
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Sotheby's · Indian and Southeast Asian ArtNew York · 19 September 1996
On 19 September 1996, Laxman Pai made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Festival was presented as Lot 457 in Indian and Southeast Asian Art, 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.
Pai, Laxman (Artist). Festival, 1968 | Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Lot
457 · So.NeY/19.09.96

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