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Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma

Taurusb. 26 Apr 1848, Kilimanoor, Travancore State | Present-day Kerala, Indiad. 02 Oct 1906

Personality.Artist
Contents
Introduction
Exhibitions47
Chronicled Highlights18
Economics of Art80
Research Centre264
All264
Library113Archive151Highlights26
Home/2_FineArts/Personality · Artist/Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Varma — featured artwork

Introduction

Date of Birth
26 Apr 1848
Zodiac sign
Taurus
Date of Death
02 Oct 1906
Age
58
Place of Birth
Kilimanoor, Travancore State | Present-day Kerala, India
Spouse(s)
Bhageerthi bayi
Year Marriage Registered
1866
Children
5 children
State Country of Birth
Travancore State | Present-day Kerala, India
  1. 1855

    1. Ravi Varma studied under his uncle Raja Varma, and later under Ramaswamy Nayadu of the Tanjore tradition.
  2. 1868

    1. His acquaintance with the British painter Theodore Jenson, then a guest of the Maharaja of Travancore, significantly shaped Raja Ravi Varma's artistic progress and academic approach.

Exhibitions

  1. 1873

    1. Fine Arts Exhibition, Chennai (formerly Madras, capital of the erstwhile Madras Presidency) & Vienna, Austria
  2. 1874

    1. Chennai (formerly Madras, capital of the erstwhile Madras Presidency)
  3. 1880

    1. Pune (formerly Poona, part of the Bombay Presidency, British India)
  4. 1885

    1. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta, capital of British India) & London, U.K.
  5. 1889

    1. Bombay Art Society Inaugural Exhibition, Bombay, India
  6. 1893

    1. World's Columbian Exhibition, Chicago, U.S.A.
  7. 1899

    1. Baroda Puranic Commissions, Trivandrum, Baroda and Bombay
  8. 1993

    1. Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings & Oleographs from, The Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, India
  9. 1997

    1. Rare and Important Paintings, organized by The Classic Source, Mumbai & Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
    2. Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India

      05 Sep 1997

  10. 1998

    1. Centenary Celebration: Raja Ravi Varma and Rama Varma, organized by Gaekwad Collection Centenary Celebration Committee, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Laxrni Vilas Palace, Vadodara, India
  11. 2000

    1. Exhibition of Oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma & Poster Art by Various Artists, The Fine Art Company, Mumbai, India

      02 Jun 2000

  12. 2001

    1. 07 Aug 2001

    2. Exhibition of Oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma, Chitrakoot Art Gallery, Kolkata,India
  13. 2003

    1. Pictorial Transformations: Treasures from the collection of the National Gallery of Modern Art, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
    2. Manifestations, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi and World Trade Centre, Mumbai, by Delhi Art Gallery
    3. 19 Apr 2003

    4. Oleographs & Antique Prints of Raja Ravi Varma, Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, India (Organized by Mr. D. Jagat Ishwari)
    5. Exhibition of Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma from the Royal Gaekwad Collection, Vadodara, India
    6. Ravi Varma Oleographs, National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, India
    7. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
  14. 2004

    1. Exhibition of Oleographs of the Ravi Varma Press, Marvel Art Gallery, Ahmedabad,India
    2. Return of Raja Ravi Varma, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
  15. 2006

    1. Exhibitions of Oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma, New Delhi, India

      11 Aug 2006

  16. 2010

    1. Open Doors, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India

      01 Jan 2010

  17. 2011

    1. Manifestations VI, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
    2. Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
  18. 2012

    1. Manifestations VII: 20th Certury Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      26 Mar 2012

    2. The Printed Picture Four Centuries Of Indian Printmaking, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
    3. Manisfestions VIII: 20th Certury Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      22 Nov 2012

  19. 2013

    1. The Naked And The Nude - The Body In Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      15 Jan 2013

  20. 2014

    1. Indian Divine: Gods & Goddesses In 19th And 20th Century, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      18 Mar 2014

    2. Indian Divine: Gods & Goddesses In 19th And 20th Century, Delhi Art Gallery, Mumbai, India

      11 Oct 2014

  21. 2015

    1. The Naked And The Nude - The Body In Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New York, USA

      07 Dec 2015

    2. 07 Jul 1905

  22. 2016

    1. The Naked And The Nude - The Body In Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, Mumbai, India

      10 Oct 2016

  23. 2017

    1. Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art. Edition II, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) New Delhi, India

      01 Mar 2017

  24. 2019

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

      17 May 2019

  25. 2020

    1. Transcendent Deities of India: The Everyday Occurrence of The Divine, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

      18 Jan 2020

  26. 2022

    1. Pop South Asia: Artistic Explorations in the Popular, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

      02 Sep 2022

  27. 2023

    1. Iconic, Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art Edition 02, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) New Delhi, India

      11 Feb 2023

    2. Iconic, Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art Edition 02, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) Mumbai, India

      27 May 2023

    3. The Divine Deities, Ojas Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      22 Oct 2023

    4. Raja Ravi Varma- A Cultural Revolution, Apparao Galleries, Chennai, India

      03 Oct 2023

  1. 1873

    1. Fine Arts Exhibition, Chennai (formerly Madras, capital of the erstwhile Madras Presidency) & Vienna, Austria
  2. 1874

    1. Chennai (formerly Madras, capital of the erstwhile Madras Presidency)
  3. 1880

    1. Pune (formerly Poona, part of the Bombay Presidency, British India)
  4. 1885

    1. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta, capital of British India) & London, U.K.
  5. 1889

    1. Bombay Art Society Inaugural Exhibition, Bombay, India
  6. 1893

    1. World's Columbian Exhibition, Chicago, U.S.A.
  7. 1899

    1. Baroda Puranic Commissions, Trivandrum, Baroda and Bombay
  8. 1993

    1. Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings & Oleographs from, The Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, India
  9. 2001

    1. Exhibition of Oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma, Chitrakoot Art Gallery, Kolkata,India
  10. 2003

    1. Oleographs & Antique Prints of Raja Ravi Varma, Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, India (Organized by Mr. D. Jagat Ishwari)
    2. Exhibition of Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma from the Royal Gaekwad Collection, Vadodara, India
    3. Ravi Varma Oleographs, National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, India
    4. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
  11. 2004

    1. Exhibition of Oleographs of the Ravi Varma Press, Marvel Art Gallery, Ahmedabad,India
    2. Return of Raja Ravi Varma, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
  12. 2023

    1. Raja Ravi Varma- A Cultural Revolution, Apparao Galleries, Chennai, India

      03 Oct 2023

  1. 1997

    1. Rare and Important Paintings, organized by The Classic Source, Mumbai & Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
    2. Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India

      05 Sep 1997

  2. 1998

    1. Centenary Celebration: Raja Ravi Varma and Rama Varma, organized by Gaekwad Collection Centenary Celebration Committee, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Laxrni Vilas Palace, Vadodara, India
  3. 2000

    1. Exhibition of Oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma & Poster Art by Various Artists, The Fine Art Company, Mumbai, India

      02 Jun 2000

  4. 2001

    1. 07 Aug 2001

  5. 2003

    1. Pictorial Transformations: Treasures from the collection of the National Gallery of Modern Art, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, India
    2. Manifestations, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi and World Trade Centre, Mumbai, by Delhi Art Gallery
    3. 19 Apr 2003

  6. 2006

    1. Exhibitions of Oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma, New Delhi, India

      11 Aug 2006

  7. 2010

    1. Open Doors, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India

      01 Jan 2010

  8. 2011

    1. Manifestations VI, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
    2. Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
  9. 2012

    1. Manifestations VII: 20th Certury Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      26 Mar 2012

    2. The Printed Picture Four Centuries Of Indian Printmaking, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
    3. Manisfestions VIII: 20th Certury Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      22 Nov 2012

  10. 2013

    1. The Naked And The Nude - The Body In Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      15 Jan 2013

  11. 2014

    1. Indian Divine: Gods & Goddesses In 19th And 20th Century, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      18 Mar 2014

    2. Indian Divine: Gods & Goddesses In 19th And 20th Century, Delhi Art Gallery, Mumbai, India

      11 Oct 2014

  12. 2015

    1. The Naked And The Nude - The Body In Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New York, USA

      07 Dec 2015

    2. 07 Jul 1905

  13. 2016

    1. The Naked And The Nude - The Body In Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, Mumbai, India

      10 Oct 2016

  14. 2017

    1. Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art. Edition II, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) New Delhi, India

      01 Mar 2017

  15. 2019

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

      17 May 2019

  16. 2020

    1. Transcendent Deities of India: The Everyday Occurrence of The Divine, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

      18 Jan 2020

  17. 2022

    1. Pop South Asia: Artistic Explorations in the Popular, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

      02 Sep 2022

  18. 2023

    1. Iconic, Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art Edition 02, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) New Delhi, India

      11 Feb 2023

    2. Iconic, Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art Edition 02, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) Mumbai, India

      27 May 2023

    3. The Divine Deities, Ojas Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      22 Oct 2023

Chronicled Highlights

18 entries
Raja Ravi Varma
26 April 1848Born
Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Varma was born in 26 April 1848 in Kilimanoor, Travancore State | Present-day Kerala, India.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). The Maharaja Of Travancore And His Younger Brother Welcoming Richard Temple-Grenville, 3Rd Duke Of Buckingham And Chandos, Governor-General Of Madras (1875-80), On His Official Visit To Trivandrum In 1880. Oil on canvas, 1881 | Painting | FineArts | 00563190
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). The Maharaja Of Travancore And His Younger Brother Welcoming Richard Temple-Grenville, 3Rd Duke Of Buckingham And Chandos, Governor-General Of Madras (1875-80), On His Official Visit To Trivandrum In 1880. Oil on canvas, 1881 | Painting | FineArts | 00563190
In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Maharaja Of Travancore And His Younger Brother Welcoming Richard Temple-Grenville, 3Rd Duke Of Buckingham And Chandos, Governor-General Of Madras (1875-80), On His Official Visit To Trivandrum In 1880 (1881), offered in the Islamic and Indian Art - Indian Art: Including Modern and Contemporary Indian and Pakistani Paintings by Bonhams, which concluded on 25 October 2007 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹4,87,58,256 ($1,233,137). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Radha in the Moonlight. Oil on canvas, 1890 | Painting | FineArts | 00643234
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Radha in the Moonlight. Oil on canvas, 1890 | Painting | FineArts | 00643234
In 2016, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Radha in the Moonlight (1890), offered in the The Fine Art Sale by Pundole, which concluded on 17 November 2016 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹20,00,00,000 ($2,945,048.34). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Woman with Doves. Oil on canvas, 1894 | Painting | FineArts | 00372940
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Woman with Doves. Oil on canvas, 1894 | Painting | FineArts | 00372940
In 1996, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Woman with Doves (1894), offered in the Islamic Works of Art and Indian Himalayan and South-East Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 25 April 1996 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹11,92,212 ($34,806). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Yashoda and Krishna. Oil on canvas, circa 1890s | Painting | EconomicsArt | 00872876
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Yashoda and Krishna. Oil on canvas, circa 1890s | Painting | EconomicsArt | 00872876
In 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Yashoda and Krishna (1895), offered in the Spring Live Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 01 April 2026 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,67,20,00,000 ($17,978,495). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Portrait of a Lady in an Ivory Saree. Oil on canvas, 1897 | Painting | FineArts | 00374204
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Portrait of a Lady in an Ivory Saree. Oil on canvas, 1897 | Painting | FineArts | 00374204
In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Portrait of a Lady in an Ivory Saree (1897), offered in the Indian Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 04 June 1997 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹23,41,400 ($65,448). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Adaptation Of The Poem 'Veena Nu Mrug'. Oil on canvas, 1898 | Painting  | 00879834
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Adaptation Of The Poem 'Veena Nu Mrug'. Oil on canvas, 1898 | Painting | 00879834
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Adaptation Of The Poem 'Veena Nu Mrug' (1898), 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 ₹2,87,50,000 ($648,253). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Music Hath Charms (Kadambari). Oil on canvas, c.1900s | Painting | FineArts | 00548025
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Music Hath Charms (Kadambari). Oil on canvas, c.1900s | Painting | FineArts | 00548025
In 2021, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Music Hath Charms (Kadambari) (1905), offered in the Winter Live Auction: Indian Art by Saffronart, which concluded on 15 December 2021 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹20,40,00,000 ($2,738,255). 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.
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Draupadi Vastraharan. Oil on canvas, c.1888-1990 | Painting | FineArts | 00416695
Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). Draupadi Vastraharan. Oil on canvas, c.1888-1990 | Painting | FineArts | 00416695
In 2022, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Draupadi Vastraharan (1990), offered in the Spring Live Auction: Modern Indian Art by Saffronart, which concluded on 06 April 2022 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹21,60,00,000 ($2,880,000). 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.
Sotheby's (Auction House). Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of Art. 09 October 1992, New Delhi | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861838
1 / 2
Sotheby's (Auction House). Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of Art. 09 October 1992, New Delhi | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861838
On 09 October 1992, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Arjun and Subhadra was presented as Lot in Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of Art, conducted by Sotheby's in New Delhi, India. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.
Bowrings (Auction House). European and Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings. 20 November 2002, New Delhi | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861892
Bowrings (Auction House). European and Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings. 20 November 2002, New Delhi | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861892
In 2002, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Bowrings: European and Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings (November 2002, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Bonhams (Auction House). Islamic & Indian Art - Indian Art - Including Modern and Contemporary Indian and Pakistani Paintings. 25 October 2007, London | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861973
Bonhams (Auction House). Islamic & Indian Art - Indian Art - Including Modern and Contemporary Indian and Pakistani Paintings. 25 October 2007, London | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00861973
In 2007, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Bonhams: Islamic & Indian Art - Indian Art (October 2007, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Pundole (Auction House). The Fine and Decorative Arts Sale - Including Property from the Estate of the late Laura Hamilton. 04 September 2013, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862154
Pundole (Auction House). The Fine and Decorative Arts Sale - Including Property from the Estate of the late Laura Hamilton. 04 September 2013, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862154
In 2013, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine and Decorative Arts Sale (September 2013, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Pundole (Auction House). The Fine Art Sale. 17 November 2016, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862242
Pundole (Auction House). The Fine Art Sale. 17 November 2016, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862242
In 2016, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (November 2016, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Sotheby's (Auction House). Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art. 16 March 2017, New York | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862267
Sotheby's (Auction House). Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art. 16 March 2017, New York | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862267
In 2017, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art (March 2017, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Artiana (Auction House). South Asian Art - Monochrome. 18 December 2021, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862409
Artiana (Auction House). South Asian Art - Monochrome. 18 December 2021, Online | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862409
In 2021, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Artiana: South Asian Art (December 2021, Dubai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Saffronart (Auction House). Winter Live Auction - Indian Art. 15 December 2021, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862410
Saffronart (Auction House). Winter Live Auction - Indian Art. 15 December 2021, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862410
In 2021, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Winter Live Auction - Indian Art (December 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Saffronart (Auction House). Spring Live Auction - Modern Indian Art. 06 April 2022, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862421
Saffronart (Auction House). Spring Live Auction - Modern Indian Art. 06 April 2022, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862421
In 2022, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Spring Live Auction (April 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.
Pundole (Auction House). The Fine Art Sale. 27 March 2025, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862558
Pundole (Auction House). The Fine Art Sale. 27 March 2025, Mumbai | Auction Catalogue | EconomicsArt | 00862558
In 2025, an artwork by Raja Ravi Varma was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (March 2025, 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 lots16

Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators

  1. Annual Auction Sale Turnover
  2. Average Sale Price Per Lot
  3. Square Inch Rate Trend
Currency

Annual Auction Sale Turnover

This indicator tracks the Total Annual Auction Sales value of Raja Ravi Varma’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 Raja Ravi Varma’s public auction market presence.

Average Sale Price Per Lot

This measure calculates the Average Sale Price of all lots by Raja Ravi Varma 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.

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.

  1. 1874

    1. First prize, Madras Exhibition, Madras (now Chennai), then part of British India
  2. 1880

    1. First prize and Gaekwad Gold Medal for the painting 'The Nair Lady', Poona Exhibition, Pune (then Poona, Bombay Presidency)
  3. 1883

    1. Governor's Gold Medal for the painting 'The Lady Wearing Jasmine Flowers', Chennai (formerly Madras)
    2. Medal & Certificate at an exhibition in Vienna, Austria
  4. 1885

    1. Certificate of Honour, Exhibition in London, U.K.
    2. Certificate of Honour, Exhibition in Kolkata (then Calcutta)
  5. 1893

    1. Medal of Honour and Certificate, Exhibition in Chicago, U.S.A.
  6. 1904

    1. Title, Kaiser-I-Hind, conferred by the Government of Britain

Research Centre

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Institutions

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Artiana
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Asta Guru
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Bonhams
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Bowrings
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Christie's
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DAG
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Mapin Publishing
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Prinseps
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Pundole
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Roseberys
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Saffronart
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Sotheby's
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Themes

2

Journal of Arts & Ideas
Journal of Arts & IdeasComparable Artworks
Marg
MargComparable Artworks
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                          Varma, Raja Ravi (Artist). The Begum's Bath. Oil on canvas, n.d. | Painting | FineArts | 00375744

                          Estimates

                          ₹2,700,000 - 3,600,000

                          $73,489 - 97,986

                          Winning Bid

                          ₹3,200,000

                          $87,099

                          Artwork Square Inch Rate (S.I.R)

                          2166.74

                          Lot Ratio | Hammer Price / Lower Estimate

                          1.19

                          Raja Ravi Varma | 26 Apr 1848 – 02 Oct 1906

                          ArtistRaja Ravi Varma
                          TitleThe Begum's Bath
                          MediumOil on canvas
                          Daten.d.
                          Size48.03 x 30.75 in (122.00 x 78.10 cm)
                          Lot Number2
                          Auction HouseHEART
                          Venue / LocationMumbai
                          Date of Auction15 November 1997
                          Type of AuctionOffline

                          Research Categories

                          2_FineArts6_EconomicsArt14_IndoWorld
                          Source
                          heart-the-intuitive-logic-ii-15-november-1997-mumbai-auction-catalogue

                          Related Links6

                          Masterlist2
                          HeartRaja Ravi Varma
                          Research Categories3
                          02Modern and Contemporary Indian Fine Arts06Economics of Art & Cultural Industry14India and her Relationship with the World
                          Object
                          Heart the Intuitive Logic Ii 15 November 1997 Mumbai Auction Catalogue