India's first feminist artist: Amrita Sher-Gil

Born in January 1930, Amrita Sher-Gil is regarded as one of most famous female artists of Indian origin. At the age of 16, she moved to Paris to train under Pierre Vaillent and Lucien Simon, both French painters at la Grande Chaumiere. Later she received formal training at the école des Beaux-Arts. During her stay in France, she was greatly influenced by the works of Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin who were known for their works in the Symbolist movement.?

She emerged as an outstanding artist in her short, experientially rich life. Her works indicate a? remarkable variety of subjects and styles with diversity. She presents the revolutionary journey through her personal experiences which are simple yet visually complex. Her works touch the viewer with empathy on all aspects of human experience. The paintings explore the aesthetics of modernism even as she passionately engages with the Indian reality of her times.?

Amrita Sher-Gil has generated ?204.8 crores (US$30.5 M) through the sale of 78 works at auction thus far. She ranks number 10 on Indian Art Investor’s Top 50 Artists list. The average price of her works stand impressively at ?2.6 crores (US$400.3 K), making her the highest performing female artist at auctions till date.?

Amrita Sher-gil’s most expensive artwork ‘Untitled’ 1938 is one her many achievements becoming the fourth most expensive Indian painting. It fetched a whopping price of ?37.8 crores (US$5.1 M) at a live auction in July 2021. The beautiful artwork depicts a ladies' enclosure which was painted at the artist’s family estates. It showcases a group of women engaged in field work. In the center is the seated woman in a vermilion Indian attire hinting to be a bride, and an old lady plaiting her hair. In the background, women can be seen carrying waterpots on their heads.?

Her second most expensive artwork ‘The little girl in blue’ depicts a girl in blue attire, with a lady seated in the background. It achieved a massive price of ?18.6 crores (US$2.6 M). The third most expensive artwork is an interesting self portrait of the artist. It was sold at a remarkable price of ?18.2 crores (US$2.9 M). Amrita Sher-Gil paintings evoke nostalgia, sensitively highlighting paintings that have a gender-inclined approach from masculine and feminine ideology.?

Amrita Sher-Gil’s artworks reflect an iconic part of her oeuvre hinting towards her sexuality and the state of women in the Indian scenario. She is also referred to as India’s Frida Kahlo for aesthetically blending traditional Indian art and western art together. She in a short span of life, has achieved what artists could not achieve even in their lifetime.?