Sayed Haider Raza

In 1998, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled, 1947, offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 17 September 1998 at New York. 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.

He is a romantic painter for whom there is more behind the every-day face of nature than what meets the eye. With an almost poetic penetration he can transform the grey vistas of Bori Bunder or Flora Fountain on a monsoon day into little rhapsodies and yet retain the intrinsic realities of his subjects…His vehicle of expression is colour. His forms, his compositon take their cue from colour. His whole understanding of nature and his emotional reaction are colour. This has led to the unlimited variety of colour association on which his fantasy can play. From the pastel shades through the dark Prussian blues and sepias of Omkareshwar, the salmon pink and blue composition of the Nasik River, practically each of his pictures brings new pleasures of colour…His compostion has improved over the years and most of his paintings have now a solid structure, although in some of them the foreground has not been solved and runs out into emptiness.

Raza, whose delicate and fluid water-colour landscapes were the delight of many exhibiton-goers, has crystallized his paintings in near-Cubist compostions. His inborn sense for melodious and exciting colour and his newly acquired discipline in formal structure, make the new paintings sincere and accomplished works. This sacrifice of spontaneity to deliberate construction may be a phase which will allow even greater freedom of expression in the future.

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Village, 1958, offered in the Winter Online Auction: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art by Saffronart, which concluded on 08 December 2005 at Online. 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.

In 2024, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Kalliste, 1959, offered in the Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 18 March 2024 at New York. 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.

In 1992, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Landscape, 1964, offered in the Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 09 October 1992 at New Delhi. 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.

In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of L'orange, 1964, 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. 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.

My work is my own inner experience and involvement with the mysteries of nature and form which is expressed in colour, line, space and ligHe.

Rothko\'s work opened up lots of interesting associations for me. It was so different from the insipid realism of the European School. It was like a door that opened to another interior vision. Yes, I felt that I was awakening to the music of another forest, one of subliminal energy. Rothko\'s works brought back the images of japmala, where the repetition of a word continues till you achieve a state of elevated consciousness. Rothko\'s works made me understand the feel for spatial perception

In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Tapovan, 1972, offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 29 March 2006 at New York. 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.

Raza’s art never states, it enacts: it was always evocation and escalation. Rumi had famously said ‘You are not your eyes’ and Raza has always believed in the third eye, beyond the physical retina. Raza seemed to have taken home Cezanne’s idea that the painter was parallel to nature implying that art was parallel to nature and by the same token different from nature.

In 2008, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of La Terre, 1973, offered in the Post-War and Contemporary Art: Evening Sale by Christie's, which concluded on 30 June 2008 at London. 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.

Raza always painted an imaginary world, traversed by tragic intensities, with his energies concentrated at the points where his colored planes overlapped. In the thickness of his matter, a whole network of colored veins circulated; flashing reds and yellow pierced deep blacks. Effects of tension and nervous agitation upset shadowy zones. The composition itself was affected by this, and in a given work, the compressed pulsations of the forms, the character of which could be defined as anguishing, were in opposition to immense, light and calm surfaces…It seems to me that Raza is now liberated from the use of violent and brutal matter as he has been freed of his obsessions. His painting has become fluid, light and calm. His fragmented stroke is extending itself gradually across the surface, and is now being organized along unexpected planes…the work is finding, occasionally at the heart of strange concretions, a center of subtle gravity. For there is no doubt that there is a solidity, a certainty in these forms, a quasi-mineral aspect, a presence which faces up victoriously to the wealth of imagination.

If prayer is the way one connects, across time and spaces, with the larger cosmic existence and creates a space of communication then Raza’s works can be seen as prayers. They are prayers which are luminous with colours, which yield light both to those who watch and to themselves: they are self-illuminated compositions. The Tibetans have a custom of hanging their prayers in the monastery written on flags or pieces of cloth. Raza paints his prayers as ‘Suryanamaskar,’ ‘Kundalini,’ ‘Bindu- Naad’ etc. They are works ‘suddenly set ablaze’ and having an ‘infinite’ direction.

In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Paysage, 1979, 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. 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.

In 2001, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of La Terre, 1979, offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 17 October 2001 at New York. 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.

In 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Bindu, 1982, 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. 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.

In 1996, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Paysage, 1983, offered in the Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust Part II by Sotheby's, which concluded on 03 April 1996 at New York. 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.

In 2010, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Saurashtra, 1983, offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 10 June 2010 at London. 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.

In 2000, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Terra Amata, 1984, 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. 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.

You can create a world out of geometry

I have interpreted the universe in terms of five primary colours: black, white, red, blue and yellow. A total chromatic expression can be achieved by mixing primary colours with other secondary colours, such as greens, browns, and ochres. From there you can move to a great austerity of colours till you come to a supreme purity of form.

In 2023, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Gestation, 1989, offered in the The Fine Art Sale: Works from the Glenbarra Art Museum and the Pundole Family Collection by Pundole, which concluded on 31 August 2023 at Mumbai. 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.

In 1991, Raza "Retrospective"1952 - 1991 marked a major milestone in the exhibition history of Sayed Haider Raza, offering a retrospective survey of the artist's artistic production

Forms emerge from darkness. Their presence is perceptible in obscurity. They become relevant if their energy is oriented through vision into an alive form-orchestration for which certain pre-requisites are indispensable. The process is akin to germination. The obscure black space is charged with latent forces asking for fulfillment. Like the universal natural order of the ‘earth-seed’ relationship, the original unit, ‘BINDU’ emerges and unfolds itself in the black space. All inherent forces unite. A vertical line intersects a horizontal line, engendering energy and ligHe. Space is charged. Contours appear: white, yellow, red and blue, and along with the original black, they compose the colour spectrum of the visible world.

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Kundalini, 2001, offered in the Modern Indian Paintings: Winter Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 02 December 2004 at Online. 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.

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Rajputana, 2003, offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 23 September 2004 at New York. 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.

In 2003, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Saffronart Online Auction (May 2003, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Bindu Bija - Mantra, 2004, offered in the Modern Indian Paintings: Summer Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 06 May 2004 at Online. 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.

In 2004, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Osians: Masterpieces & Museum Quality III (March 2004, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2005, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: 20th Century Asian Art (July 2005, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Sometime between 1975 and 1980, I began to feel the draw of my Indian heritage. I thought: I come from India, I have a different vision; I should incorporate what I have learned in France with Indian concepts. In this period, I visited India every year to study Indian philosophy, iconography, magic diagrams (yantras), an ancient Indian art, particularly Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain art. I was impressed by paintings from Basholi, Malwa, and Mewar, and began combining colors in a manner that echoed Indian miniature painting

In 2006, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern Indian Art (December 2006, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2007, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Indian Art (September 2007, Hong Kong), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2007, Raza a Retrospective marked a major milestone in the exhibition history of Sayed Haider Raza, offering a retrospective survey of the artist's artistic production

In 2007, S. H. Raza Mini Retrospective marked a major milestone in the exhibition history of Sayed Haider Raza, offering a retrospective survey of the artist's artistic production

In 2008, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Bid & Hammer: Modern & Contemporary Indian Paintings (January 2008, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2008, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (June 2008, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2008, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern & Contemporary Indian Art (August 2008, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2010, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (March 2010, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2010, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern & Contemporary Indian Art (June 2010, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2010, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (August 2010, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2011, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art (March 2011, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2011, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (September 2011, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2012, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art (March 2012, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2013, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (June 2013, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2013, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern and Contemporary Art (No Reserve Auction) (August 2013, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2013, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (March 2013, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2013, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Winter Online Auction (December 2013, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of DAG: Significant Indian Modern Art (August 2014, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Live Auction (September 2014, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (June 2014, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern & Contemporary Indian Art (September 2014, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Bonhams: Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art (April 2014, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Saffronart Live Auction (February 2014, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (January 2014, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (March 2015, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: The Discerning Eye (April 2015, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (June 2015, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2016, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of DAG: 20th Century Indian Art (December 2016, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (No Reserve Auction) (December 2017, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: From Classical to Contemporary (December 2017, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (May 2019, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (March 2019, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Winter Online Auction (December 2019, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2020, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Raza (July 2020, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2020, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Winter Online Auction (December 2020, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2020, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza 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.

In 2020, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Winter Live Auction (December 2020, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (June 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of deRivaz & Ives: Inaugural Masterpieces Series (November 2022, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2023, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Iconic Masters (October 2023, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2023, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (August 2023, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2024, an artwork by Sayed Haider Raza was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Dimensions Defined (February 2024, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2000, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Satpura, n.d., 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. 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.