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Sunil Das — featured artwork

Introduction

Date of Birth
04 Aug 1939
Zodiac sign
Leo
Date of Death
10 Aug 2015
Age
76
Place of Birth
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Place of Death
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
State Country of Birth
West Bengal, India
State Country of Death
West Bengal, India

Exhibitions

  1. 1955

    1. Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  2. 1958

    1. Assam Cotton College, Guwahati, India
    2. Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
  3. 1959

    1. Artist House, Kolkata, India
    2. Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  4. 1960

    1. Society of Contemporary Artists, Kolkata & Mumbai, India
    2. Ashoka Art Gallery, Kolkata, India
    3. Kumar Gallery, Kolkata, India
  5. 1961

    1. Club de Quatre Vents, Paris, France
    2. Society of Contemporary Artists, Kolkata, India
    3. Gallery Tedsco, Paris, France
    4. International Art Exhibition, Poland
  6. 1962

    1. Foyer des Artistes Gallery, Paris, France
    2. Gallery Jean Lafond, Paris, France
    3. Biennale de Prix, Paris, France
    4. La Maison du Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, Paris, France
    5. Salon de la Jeune Peinture, Paris, France
  7. 1963

    1. Gallery Maison des Beaux Arts, Paris, France
    2. Prix de Dome, Paris, France
    3. Exposition Prix des Peintures Étrangères, Paris, France
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Chronicled Highlights 121956 – 2012

Sunil Das was born in 1939 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.

1956
Literary ReferenceDrawing
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

Sunil Das made his name in this city by his lively pictures of horses. These appeared as majestic impersonations of animal vitality in his studies. There were many competitors but none could give such a sense of immense power.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Horse Series, 1956 | Drawing
Selling price
INR1,92,500
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 1,75,000 – 2,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 230
Medium
Charcoal on paper
Dimensions
28.9 × 28.9 in (74 × 74 cm)
Lot
32 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1960
Public Auction HighDrawing
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 (1960), offered in the The Indian Sale by Sotheby's, which concluded on 23 May 2006 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹7,00,046 ($15,379). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Untitled, 1960 | Drawing
Selling price
INR7,00,046
133% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,14,475 – 3,00,265
Rate per sq in
INR 897
Medium
Charcoal on paper
Dimensions
22 × 35.5 in (56 × 90 cm)
Lot
163 · So.Lon/23.05.06
1962
Public Auction HighDrawing
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

In 2002, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Bull & Matador Series (1962), offered in the Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings by Osian's, which concluded on 05 December 2002 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹2,20,000 ($4,561). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Bull & Matador Series, 1962 | Drawing
Selling price
INR2,20,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 2,00,000 – 3,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 222
Medium
Charcoal on paper
Dimensions
31 × 32 in (79 × 81 cm)
Lot
34 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1962
Literary ReferencePainting
DeRivaz & Ives · Modern Indian Art of BengalOnline · 07 May 2022

The bulls, as flamboyant, are caught in the theatre of the arena, without matadors in the frame. The engagements are evoked by the bristling, defiant and inexorably reacting beasts confronting their tauntung, glory-seeking adversaries. The lunges and passes, retreats and rallies are recorded to a spontaneous meaning of life as a tussle, a contest where skill and boldness and stoicism have to be mobilized.

Das, Sunil (Artist). (Spanish) Bull Series, 1962 | Painting
Selling price
INR2,68,800
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 3,00,000 – 4,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 433
Medium
Charcoal on paper
Dimensions
22.1 × 28.1 in (56 × 71 cm)
Lot
33 · De.Onl/07.05.22
1971

1971

Public Auction HighDrawing
Sotheby's · Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of ArtNew Delhi · 09 October 1992

In 1992, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Figure at a Window (1971), offered in the Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 09 October 1992 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹9,350 ($311). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Figure at a Window, 1971 | Drawing
Selling price
INR9,350
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 8,000 – 12,000
Rate per sq in
INR 42.87
Medium
Black on orange paper
Dimensions
13.2 × 16.5 in (34 × 42 cm)
Lot
So.Del/09.10.92
1985
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian PaintingsNew York · 29 March 2006

In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Confrontation (1985), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 29 March 2006 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹7,50,792 ($16,800). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Confrontation, 1985 | Painting
Selling price
INR7,50,792
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 5,36,280 – 8,04,420
Rate per sq in
INR 187
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
67 × 59.8 in (170 × 152 cm)
Lot
122 · So.NeY/29.03.06
1990
Public Auction HighPainting
Asta Guru · Collectors Choice: Modern Indian ArtOnline · 21 November 2021

In 2021, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1990), offered in the Collectors Choice: Modern Indian Art by Asta Guru, which concluded on 21 November 2021 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹29,69,921 ($39,927.09). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Untitled, 1990 | Painting
Selling price
INR29,69,921
642% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 3,00,000 – 4,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 749
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
57.5 × 69 in (146 × 175 cm)
Lot
68 · AG.Onl/21.11.21
1991
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 Woman in Black (1991), 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 ₹1,56,138 ($4,312). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Woman in Black, 1991 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,56,138
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 1,44,840 – 2,17,260
Rate per sq in
INR 39.22
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
57.5 × 69.3 in (146 × 176 cm)
Lot
128 · So.NeY/10.10.97
1992
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Sotheby's · Indian European and Oriental Paintings and Works of ArtNew Delhi · 09 October 1992

On 09 October 1992, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Mangal Ghat 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Mangal Ghat, 1972 | Painting
Selling price
INR82,500
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 80,000 – 1,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 43.7
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
57.1 × 33.1 in (145 × 84 cm)
Lot
166 · So.Del/09.10.92
1999
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 Untitled (1999), 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 ₹14,40,000 ($31,122). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Untitled, 1999 | Painting
Selling price
INR14,40,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 12,00,000 – 15,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 467
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
55.5 × 55.5 in (141 × 141 cm)
Lot
36 · Os.Mum/09.09.06
2000
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Indian Contemporary Art: Paintings, Drawings & SculptureMumbai · 09 February 2005

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Woman (2000), offered in the Indian Contemporary Art: Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture by Osian's, which concluded on 09 February 2005 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹5,75,000 ($13,176). 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.

Das, Sunil (Artist). Woman, 2000 | Painting
Selling price
INR5,75,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 6,00,000 – 7,50,000
Rate per sq in
INR 187
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
55.5 × 55.5 in (141 × 141 cm)
Lot
95 · Os.Mum/09.02.05
2012
Featured on Auction Catalogue Cover | AB.Del/20.04.12Auction Catalogue
Art Bull · Pre Modern and Modern MastersMumbai · 20 April 2012

In 2012, an artwork by Sunil Das was featured on the cover of Art Bull: Pre Modern and Modern Masters (April 2012, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

Art Bull (Auction House). Pre Modern and Modern Masters. 20 April 2012 | Auction Catalogue
Lots offered
111
Lots sold
28 · 25%
Lot
AB.Del/20.04.12

Economics of Art

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Research Centre

Posts 1

  1. All Living Souls
    Tuli Research Centre for India Studies presents All Living Souls - Expressed in the Modern and Contemporary Fine & Popular Indian Arts Curated by Neville Tuli As part of launching the 16th Research Category for India Studies - "The Animal-Human-Nature-Continuum" we present a fascinating exhibition of modern and contemporary Indian fine and popular arts and their expression of the ideas and forms related to the dialogue between animals and humans, and the larger cosmic and spiritual thoughts which abide therein. Please visit the Exhibition and see the artworks by modern and contemporary masters such as Rabindranath Tagore, D.P. Roy Chowdhury, M.F. Husain, J. Swaminathan, J. Sultan Ali, Somnath Hore, Ganesh Pyne, Manjit Bawa, K. Laxma Goud, Krishna Reddy, Jyoti Bhatt, Rekha Rodwittiya, Amit Ambalal, among others, along with vintage and rare prints from the pioneering Indian chromolithographic presses such as Chitrashala, Ravi Varma, Calcutta Art Studio, Chore Bagan & Kansaripara.

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