V.S. Gaitonde

When the twentieth century is viewed through the psycho geography of a series of shifting and overlapping tectonic plates - through the modernism, decades of decolonisation and nationalism, postmodernism, decades of decolonialism, and post colonialism, and the intercultural dialogues between Asian, European and American Artists, intellectuals and cultural agents- what emerges is the story of several simultaneously evolving histories, or what I have termed for the purposes of this essay a system of “polymorphic modernisms.” As critic Geeta Kapur states, “it may be worth mentioning that modernism as it develops in postcolonial cultures has the oldest retroactive trajectories, and that these make up a parallel aesthetics. It is crucial that we do not see the modern as a form of determinism to be followed, in a manner of the stations of a cross, to a logical end. We should see our trajectories crisscrossing the western mainstream and, in their very disalignment from it, making up the ground that restructures the international.” With Fredric Jameson in mind Kapur continues, “the modern itself had a politicality far greater than we are taught to recognize. He (Jameson) notes the persistent use of vocabulary of political revolution in the aesthetic avant-gardes which complemented, perhaps even compensated for, the deep subjectivity to which modernist works were committed” Gaitonde’s consistently nonrepresentational works from 1959 onwards resist any intrinsic meaning or description and must be dealt with on their own uncompromised terms. One should experience them ontologically rather than in epistemic terms, given their resistance to narrativity. This, however, does not make them unmoored, universalising agentsrather they exist in time, and are contingent on the socialising factors that make them modern. One may simply point to the oeuvre of Kazimir Malevich (1879-1935), whose utopian abstraction and belief in the “zero of painting” or “objectlessness emerged within a milieu of revolutionary socialism.

In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1962), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings from The Wilberding Collection by Sotheby's, which concluded on 20 September 2005 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹1,05,38,400 ($240,000). 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 2022, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1969), offered in the Glenbarra: A Lasting Legacy Session 1 by Pundole, which concluded on 24 February 2022 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹42,00,00,000 ($5,578,859.84). 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 Untitled (1970), 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, achieving a sale price of ₹25,37,471 ($52,875). 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 Untitled (1972), 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 ₹92,00,000 ($210,816). 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 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1973), offered in the Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series VI: With Rare Drawings and Books on Indian Contemporary Art by Osian's, which concluded on 01 March 2006 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹4,88,75,000 ($1,102,029). 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 2020, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1974), offered in the Looking West: Works from the Collection of the Glenbarra Art Museum, Japan (Session I) by Pundole, which concluded on 03 September 2020 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹32,00,00,000 ($4,362,288.02). 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 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1975), offered in the Modern and Contemporary Indian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 30 March 2006 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹6,56,65,920 ($1,472,000). 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 2000, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1976), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including 20th Century Indian Paintings by Christie's, which concluded on 20 September 2000 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹14,12,021 ($30,550). 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 Untitled (1977), 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 ₹31,82,405 ($65,725). 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 Untitled (1979), offered in the South Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 19 December 2013 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹23,70,25,000 ($3,799,695). 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.

Whether it is a mauve canvas with a streak of turquoise blue. or a blue moon, it is always pure painting ‒‒ painting which has detached itself from the world of objects to explore its own endlessly exciting possibilities.

In 1997, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1985), 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 ₹12,50,625 ($34,500). 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 1995, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1994), offered in the Indian Contemporary Paintings: Islamic Works of Art and Indian, Himalaya and South-East Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 16 October 1995 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹6,25,600 ($18,244). 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 (1995), offered in the Indian Contemporary Paintings: Islamic Works of Art and Indian, Himalaya and South-East Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 16 October 1995 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹5,63,040 ($16,420). 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, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Bowrings: Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings (March 2002, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2005, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Osians: Indian Contemporary Art (February 2005, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2005, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Indian and Southeast Asian Art (September 2005, Dubai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2006, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Osians: Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series VI (March 2006, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2006, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Christie's: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (March 2006, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2007, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Christie's: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (May 2007, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2007, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Indian Sale (May 2007, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2008, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art and Photography (December 2008, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2009, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (June 2009, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2011, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Pundole: Paintings from the Collection of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (April 2011, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2012, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art (June 2012, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2013, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (June 2013, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2014, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Bonhams: Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art (September 2014, Hong Kong), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Christie's: The India Sale (December 2015, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2015, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Pundole: Indian Art (April 2015, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2016, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Christie's: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art (September 2016, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2016, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Sotheby's: Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art (March 2016, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2016, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Asta Guru: Modern Indian Art (No Reserve Auction) (October 2016, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Osians: Indian Modern Fine Arts (June 2017, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (April 2017, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2017, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Evening Sale (September 2017, New York), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2018, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Evening Sale (September 2018, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (June 2019, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Evening Sale (September 2019, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Works on Paper Sale (April 2019, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Osians: Indian Modern Fine Arts (February 2019, London), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2019, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (August 2019, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2020, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Alive (September 2020, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2021, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Summer Online Auction (July 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2021, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Spring Online Auction (March 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2021, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Spring Live Auction (March 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2021, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Pundole: The Fine Art Sale (January 2021, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of deRivaz & Ives: The Progressives & Other Modern Masters (March 2022, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: The Art of India Online Auction (May 2022, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2022, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of deRivaz & Ives: Indian Modern Art (December 2022, New Delhi), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2023, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Spring Live Auction (March 2023, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.

In 2023, an artwork by V.S. Gaitonde was featured on the cover of Saffronart: Spring Online Auction (March 2023, Mumbai), marking a documented highlight in the artist's public and auction market visibility.