Tyeb Mehta — Kapadvanj, Kheda Dist., Gujarat, India.

In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Trussed Bull (1956), offered in the 25th Anniversary Sale by Saffronart, which concluded on 02 April 2025 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹61,80,00,000 ($7,270,588). 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.

The expressionist period reached its climax around 1959. Then a new theme appears, the ‘Falling Figures’ which indicates a change of style and mood. In the ‘Falling Figures’ the colours become lighter, the paint looser. At first, Tyeb is still preoccupied with textures; and the emotional content is strong. One can still speak of the symbolism of these paintings: falling figure, Icarus, suicide, alienation, disorientation of modern man – one could continue the string of associations almost indefinitely. For the first time the tortured, screaming heads appear in these paintings; the drawing is beginning to acquire that sparse precision, which is so characteristic of Tyeb Mehta today.

He uses oil paint as though born to it. He constructs his image with the intense logic ofa de Stael, of a Cezanne. He makes absolutely no gimmicky use of his national origins… Nevertheless, it is Tyeb’s profound sense of personal identity, of national origin and of voluntary exile, which gives him an unfailing ability to depict compassion. A trussed bull, a red shawl, the nayika: these come directly from Tyeb’s familiarity with Indian attitudes and from his knowledge of, and commitment to, the mythology of a tradition and more unbroken than the whole of Western civilization. If his figures are those of the Greek nude, his language that of twentieth century Western painting, and his pride as restrained as the foreigner imagines that of the English gentleman to be, then it is equally true that his feeling for colour is from the East, his static shapes as immobile as the Buddha, and his personality approaching the Indian ideal of a short circuit between emotion and spirit.Tyeb is a painter among painters. His roots draw substance from both East and West; and he is, himself, of neither- or of both.

The paintings are singularly bereft of any environment…the use of formal elements and most recently the use of the diagonal is instrumental in creating different planes on the flat surface of the canvas. Their interaction is managed through the use of colour, which necessarily has to be, in this case, non-harmonic and atonal. There is a directed attempt at discovering every nuance which the imagery requires, in painting, the interplay of the figure with the formal elements

In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Diagonal Series (1972), offered in the Indian Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 04 June 1997 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹6,59,689 ($18,440). 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 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Diagonal Series (1972), offered in the Twentieth Century Indian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 05 October 1999 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹7,45,946 ($17,113). 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 Untitled (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 ₹1,44,463 ($4,600). 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 Untitled (1976), 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 ₹33,98,850 ($72,625). 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 Untitled (1979), 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, achieving a sale price of ₹5,46,193 ($16,100). 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 Untitled (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, achieving a sale price of ₹4,69,505 ($14,950). 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 Untitled (1983), 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 ₹15,42,060 ($32,950). 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 2008, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1984), offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 11 June 2008 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹8,22,95,790 ($1,918,764). 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 2012, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Figures With Bull Head) (1984), offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 21 March 2012 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹8,91,71,044 ($1,762,500). 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.

It is interesting to see the differences between the earlier watercolour Study of the Central Panel of the Santiniketan Triptych (Lot 30) and the actual final oil on canvas Central Panel. It is obviously difficult to sequence an artistic vision, its conceptual tangents and overridding philosophies which constantly change by minor degrees the nature of depth, alongwith their evolving compositions and forms, but obvious influences are evident in the comparison. For example, it is clear that the absence of the goat motif in the 1983-84 Study implies that the Santiniketan residency/ experience brought this motif into prominence and in the process led to a restructuring and privileging of certain artistic forms and hierarchies in the final oil triptych. Naturally the whole conceptual growth of such a historical significant painting cannot be independent to all the visual juxtapositioning of painterly forms, especially in the case of Tyeb. To extricate one from the other is a tenuous task, but having this watercolour study and others (which have existed for decades in at least four independent collections around India) for his two triptych’s brings agreat deal of new insight and clarity to his workings as an artist. Naturally, greater research and scholarship in the years to come will deepen one’s understanding of the artistic process.

In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1985), offered in the Indian Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 04 June 1997 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹6,73,153 ($18,816). 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 2018, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Kali (1989), offered in the Summer Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 14 June 2018 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹26,38,68,000 ($3,998,000). 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.

In 2013, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Mahishasura (1994), offered in the South Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 19 December 2013 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹19,78,25,000 ($3,171,289). 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 2017, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Woman on Rickshaw) (1994), offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 25 May 2017 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹22,96,16,585.1 ($3,559,461.42). 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 2002, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Celebration (1995), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 19 September 2002 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,53,73,350 ($317,500). 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.

In 2022, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Mahishasura (1995), offered in the Glenbarra: A Lasting Legacy Session 1 by Pundole, which concluded on 24 February 2022 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹32,00,00,000 ($4,250,559.88). 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 2012, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Mahishasura) (1996), offered in the South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art by Christie's, which concluded on 11 June 2012 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹11,90,40,766 ($2,155,033). 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 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Mahisasura (1997), offered in the Indian And Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern And Contemporary Indian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 21 September 2005 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹6,95,69,280 ($1,584,000). 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.

An artist comes to terms with certain images. He arrives at certain conventions by a process of reduction.

In 2002, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Saffronart Online Auction (December 2002, Hong Kong), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2005, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Osians: Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series V (December 2005, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2005, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (May 2005, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2006, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Indian and Southeast Asian Art (March 2006, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2006, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Osians: The ABC Series (July 2006, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2007, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern Indian Art (June 2007, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2008, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern & Contemporary Art: South Asia (September 2008, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2009, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (September 2009, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2010, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Osians: The Masterpieces Series (March 2010, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

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

In 2011, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (June 2011, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2012, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (July 2012, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2012, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (March 2012, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2012, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Autumn Online Auction (September 2012, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Osians: 2nd Osianama Series (July 2014, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art (October 2014, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Christie's: The India Sale (December 2014, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (November 2015, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Osians: Indian Antiquities, Modern and Contemporary Fine Arts (June 2015, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2016, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Pundole: Classical and Modern Indian Art (April 2016, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Evening Sale (February 2017, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (May 2017, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern & Contemporary Indian Art (August 2017, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2018, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Evening Sale (March 2018, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2018, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (June 2018, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

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

In 2021, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art and Collectibles (October 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2021, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: The Curated Auction Series (April 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Pundole: Glenbarra (February 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (June 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Spring Online Auction (April 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Treasures (September 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2023, an artwork by Tyeb Mehta was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (June 2023, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.