Ratings and values of paintings by Maqbool Fida Husain

Ratings and values of paintings by Maqbool Fida Husain

Key takeaways

  • Maqbool Fida Husain, a leading figure in 20th-century modern Indian painting, has seen his works sell for between €60 and €2,099,810 over the past forty years.
  • His paintings command the highest prices (up to 2.1 million euros), while his prints remain affordable, starting at 60 euros.
  • His painting “Bulls” (1961) sold for €2,099,810 in 2023, far exceeding its initial estimate of €933,250 to €1,399,870.

If you own a work by or after the artist Maqbool Fida Husain, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain an optimal price.

Rating and value of the artist Maqbool Fida Husain  

A key figure in modern Indian painting, Maqbool Fida Husain is a prodigious painter of the 20th century who has acquired a certain renown, based on his painting, watercolor drawings and prints. For almost forty years, his works have been auctioned at prices ranging from €60 to €2,099,810 - a substantial delta, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to the artist's works. One of his paintings (oil on canvas) entitled Bulls dating from 1961 sold for €2,099,810 in 2023, whereas it was estimated at between €933,250 and €1,399,870.  

Order of value from a single work to the most prestigious

Technique used

Result

Estamp - multiple

From €60 to €29,855

Drawing - watercolor

From €340 to €228,640

Sculpture - volume

From €115 to €288,240

Painting

From €880 to €2,099,810

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Style and technique of artist Maqbool Fida Husain

Husain is one of the pioneers of Indian abstract painting. He uses several artistic techniques, including oil paint, paint on cardboard, acrylic, charcoal and printmaking. He works extensively on colorimetry and form.

Maqbool Fida Husain, dessin

The life of Maqbool Fida Husain    

Maqbool Fida Husain was born in India in 1915.

He moved to Bombay in 1935 to study at the city's art school. He began by producing film sets and joined Bombay's Progressive artists group founded by Francis Newton Souza.

In 1952, he organized his first monograph in Zurich, Switzerland. He received various awards while continuing to work for the cinema  he is also a screenwriter and still creates film sets. His reputation was established in the '40s, and he became one of India's most highly-rated painters during his lifetime. Like his friend Souza, he created a scandal by depicting naked Hindu women. Some of his works were destroyed by Hindu activists who did not approve of his paintings and tapestries. Nevertheless, he produced a gigantic body of work (over 1,000 paintings have been offered for sale to date, which does not include drawings and prints).

He died in London at the age of 95, in 2011.

Husain's imprint on his period

Husain left a significant mark on the history of twentieth-century art, and is one of his country's best-known painters. His considerable artistic output is the result of hard work and a long career. Husain is one of the highest-rated contemporary artists on the art market today.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Maqbool Fida Husain simply signs his canvases with his name in cursive script, at the bottom of his canvas.

Signature de Maqbool Fida Husain

Getting to know the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by Maqbool Fida Husain, ask for a free appraisal without delay, using the form on our website. A member of our team will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also be on hand to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Who is Maqbool Fida Husain, and what is his significance in art history?
    Maqbool Fida Husain (1915–2011) is a leading figure in modern Indian painting and one of the pioneers of Indian abstract art. A member of Bombay’s Progressive Artists Group, he produced a substantial body of work combining oil painting, acrylics, drawing, and printmaking, leaving a profound mark on 20th-century art. Having become one of India’s most highly valued painters during his lifetime, his legacy endures as one of the highest-valued contemporary artists on the art market.
  • What are the price ranges for Maqbool Fida Husain's works based on the medium used?
    Husain’s works vary considerably depending on the medium: prints sell for between €60 and €29,855, watercolor drawings between €340 and €228,640, sculptures between €115 and €288,240, and paintings between €880 and €2,099,810. This wide range reflects the importance of the subject, the period, the condition, and the provenance of the work. A notable example is the painting titled “Bulls” (1961), which sold in 2023 for €2,099,810.
  • How can you authenticate a work by Maqbool Fida Husain and determine its value?
    To authenticate a work of art and obtain an accurate estimate, we recommend submitting a request for a free appraisal to Auctie's via our online form. Our state-certified auctioneers and experts will examine your artwork and provide you with a detailed appraisal within 48 hours, with no obligation on your part.
  • How can you recognize Maqbool Fida Husain's signature on his paintings?
    Maqbool Fida Husain signed his paintings simply with his name in cursive script, usually placed at the bottom of the work. This discreet signature is one of several authentication factors to be examined when appraising a work attributed to the artist.
  • How do I sell a work by Maqbool Fida Husain through Auctie's?
    If you’d like to sell a work by Husain, contact us for a free, no-obligation appraisal. Our experts will determine the current value of your piece, and our specialists will guide you through the entire sales process, offering you the best options to achieve the highest possible price at auction.