Somnath Hore

In 1999, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1968), 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, achieving a sale price of ₹50,400 ($1,161). 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 everything he sees, he reads its gesture of tragedy. So in a crack in the earth, he sees a dire menace. In fissures in the wall, he recalls a gaping wound. Even in sensuous fantasies are sewn up in a skin of suffering. Lean bodies of men and women huddled in wan despair… they do not repel our eye; they draw us in. His artistry gives each item its kind of appeal; the sharpness of bone, the tightness of skin, the deadness of eyes, the muteness of mouths, the limp inertia of the folded body. They entice the eye in and lacerate it.

In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Wounds (1979), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 24 March 2004 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹3,49,128 ($7,800). 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 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1981), 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 ₹8,40,000 ($19,017). 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 varying degrees in his sculptures, prints and paintings, besides the haunting sight of an anguished struggle, it is a sustained feeling of the possibility of endurance and hope that permeates the work of Somnath Hore, whereby all is not altogether bleak. The work-process allows technicalities to lead on to a more forceful statement of sensitive emotive contents...rescuing them from immediate topicality, thereby harnessing experience into expression.

The folds of skin, the bony skeletal forms remained embedded in Hore’s consciousness. It was a figuration that he repeated all his life – even in his sculpture. At the same time there was something undaunted even heroic about these figures. As if man emerges triumphant despite his vulnerabilities, despite the trials and tribulations that life has in store.

The human image in Somnath Hore, including that in the later sculptures, is vulnerable and timid, already rendered energy-less due to weight of the circumstances and the hunger. They cannot resist the outside pressures. They only suffer and offer easy targets for inflicting suffering. They are epitomes of fear and have only each other to give some solace. The elemental forms, for example the stick-like arms and legs are appropriate to his imagery. They resemble bones and at the same time work as armature to hold the sculptural form together.

I, Reba Hore, wife of Somnath Hore have sold this beautiful piece of art - ‘Husband & wife accompanying baby goat’ to Shri Sanad Kumar Chowdhury which was created by my husband. (‘Chowdhury Bari’, Bhadharhati, Pin code – 712301). The height of this bronze sculpture is approx. 21 inches and width is approx. 13 inches. Today’s date – 13.07.1995 Reba 1995

In 2020, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Dog (1985), offered in the Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 20 December 2020 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹1,14,83,795 ($155,924.32). 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 2023, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Old Miner (1985), 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, achieving a sale price of ₹1,70,00,000 ($205,615.98). 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 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Brother and Sister (1985), offered in the The Fine Art Sale by Pundole, which concluded on 27 March 2025 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹4,50,00,000 ($524,714.03). 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 The Battered Head Of A Horse (1988), offered in the European and Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings by Bowrings, which concluded on 20 November 2002 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹3,00,000 ($6,223). 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 2023, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Head (1988), offered in the Modern Treasures by Asta Guru, which concluded on 02 September 2023 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹1,72,59,349 ($208,787.16). 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 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Brothers (1991), offered in the The Fine Art Sale by Pundole, which concluded on 12 March 2026 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹5,00,00,000 ($541,400.93). 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 Sketchbook (24 Pages) (1992), offered in the The ABC Series IV: Art | Book | Cinema by Osian's, which concluded on 15 July 2008 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹21,00,000 ($48,645). 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 The Khajani Player (1995), offered in the South Asian Art: Including Property from The Dartington Hall Trust by Sotheby's, which concluded on 15 June 2010 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹1,07,99,788 ($231,110). 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, an artwork by Somnath Hore was featured on the cover of Prinseps: Modern & Contemporary Auction (October 2018, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2020, an artwork by Somnath Hore 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 2022, an artwork by Somnath Hore was featured on the cover of Prinseps: Somnath Hore Centenary Auction (April 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2023, an artwork by Somnath Hore was featured on the cover of deRivaz & Ives: Indian Modern Art (February 2023, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2024, an artwork by Somnath Hore was featured on the cover of deRivaz & Ives: Indian Modern Art (February 2024, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.