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Tyeb Mehta — featured artwork

Introduction

Zodiac sign
Leo
Age
83
Place of Birth
Kapadvanj, Kheda Dist., Gujarat, India
Spouse(s)
Sakina
Children
Daughter himani son
State Country of Birth
Gujarat, India

Exhibitions

  1. 1959

    1. Gallery 59, Mumbai, India
  2. 1960

    1. Art Alive, Northampton Museum, Northampton, UK
    2. Group Show, London, UK
  3. 1961

    1. Gallery One, London, UK
  4. 1962

    1. Bear Lane Gallery, Oxford, UK
    2. Group Show, London, UK
  5. 1965

    1. Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai, India
    2. Art now in India, London, Newcastle & Ghent, UK
    3. Ten Contemporary Indian Painters, MIT & New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, USA
    4. National Exhibition, New Delhi, India
  6. 1966

    1. Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai, India

      22 Mar 1966 to 28 Mar 1966

  7. 1967

    1. Kumar Gallery, New Delhi, India
  8. 1968

    1. Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai, India
    2. Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery, London, UK
    3. First Triennale India, New Delhi, India
  9. 1969

    1. Kunika-Chemould Gallery, New Delhi, India
  10. 1970

  11. 1971

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Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Tyeb Mehta, 1966 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882435
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Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Tyeb Mehta, 1966 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882435

Chronicled Highlights 571956 – 2023

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

1956
Public Auction HighPainting
Saffronart · 25th Anniversary SaleMumbai · 02 April 2025

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Trussed Bull, 1956 | Painting
Selling price
INR61,80,00,000
783% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 5,00,00,000 – 7,00,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 4,02,046
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
37 × 41.5 in (94 × 106 cm)
Signature
Signed and dated 'Tyeb 56.' (l.l.)
Lot
13 · Sa.Mum/02.04.25
Provenance
Property from the Estate of Tyeb Mehta
1959
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Falling Figure, 1959 | Painting
Selling price
INR9,90,000
10% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 8,00,000 – 9,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 807
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
40.9 × 30 in (104 × 76 cm)
Lot
87 · Os.Mum/05.12.02
1963
Literary ReferencePainting
Osian's · India Historical Lila: Auction of Indian Modern and Contemporary Paintings, Drawings and Graphic ArtMumbai · 20 October 2001

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Woman, 1963 | Painting
Selling price
INR8,92,500
49% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 768
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
39.4 × 29.5 in (100 × 75 cm)
Lot
80 · Os.Mum/20.10.01
1970
Literary ReferencePainting
HEART · The Intuitive-Logic II: Modern & Contemporary Indian Paintings, Drawings, Graphics, Sculpture & TapestryMumbai · 15 November 1997

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

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Diagonal No.9, 1970 | Painting
Selling price
INR3,80,000
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 82.55
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
78 × 59.1 in (198 × 150 cm)
Signature
S/d on the back in English
Lot
176 · He.Mum/15.11.97
1972
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Indian Contemporary ArtLondon · 04 June 1997

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Diagonal Series, 1972 | Painting
Selling price
INR6,59,689
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 4,68,280 – 7,02,420
Rate per sq in
INR 162
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
59 × 69 in (150 × 175 cm)
Lot
69 · Ch.Lon/04.06.97
1972
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · Twentieth Century Indian ArtLondon · 05 October 1999

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Diagonal Series, 1972 | Painting
Selling price
INR7,45,946
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 5,76,577 – 8,64,865
Rate per sq in
INR 464
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
35.5 × 45.2 in (90 × 115 cm)
Lot
74 · Ch.Lon/05.10.99
1976
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable TrustNew York · 12 June 1995

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Untitled, 1976 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,44,463
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 1,57,025 – 2,19,835
Rate per sq in
INR 91.81
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
44 × 35.7 in (112 × 91 cm)
Lot
67 · So.NeY/12.06.95
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1976
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From the Chester and Davida Herwitz CollectionNew York · 05 December 2000

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Untitled, 1976 | Painting
Selling price
INR33,98,850
263% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 7,02,000 – 9,36,000
Rate per sq in
INR 1,050
Medium
Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions
67.8 × 47.8 in (172 × 121 cm)
Lot
193 · So.NeY/05.12.00
Provenance
Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1979
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable Trust Part IINew York · 03 April 1996

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Untitled, 1979 | Painting
Selling price
INR5,46,193
34% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,71,400 – 4,07,100
Rate per sq in
INR 219
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
59.5 × 42 in (151 × 107 cm)
Lot
29 · So.NeY/03.04.96
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1982
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From The Chester and Davida Herwitz Charitable TrustNew York · 12 June 1995

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Untitled, 1982 | Painting
Selling price
INR4,69,505
25% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,51,240 – 3,76,860
Rate per sq in
INR 168
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
59 × 47.2 in (150 × 120 cm)
Lot
65 · So.NeY/12.06.95
Provenance
Chester & Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1983
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Contemporary Indian Paintings: From the Chester and Davida Herwitz CollectionNew York · 05 December 2000

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Untitled, 1983 | Painting
Selling price
INR15,42,060
32% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 7,02,000 – 11,70,000
Rate per sq in
INR 984
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
44.5 × 35.2 in (113 × 90 cm)
Lot
93 · So.NeY/05.12.00
Provenance
Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection, USA
1984
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · South Asian Modern and Contemporary ArtLondon · 11 June 2008

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.

Mehta, Tyeb (Artist). Untitled, 1984 | Painting
Selling price
INR8,22,95,790
96% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,51,40,000 – 4,19,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 29,665
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
59 × 47 in (150 × 119 cm)
Lot
42 · Ch.Lon/11.06.08
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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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