A rare Krishna Kanwal’s portrait of the Dalai Lama enthronement just sold for £152,800 at Bonhams, breaking the artist’s previous record.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

LONDON — A rare painting by Indian modernist Krishna Kanwal (1910–1993) set a new world auction record for the artist at Bonhams London recently. His watercolor, Portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at His Enthronement, sold for £152,800 ($207,573), including fees. Although it went below its presale estimate of £120,000, the sale was historical. It was a significant moment for Indian modern art, highlighting the growing market interest in Kanwal’s work.

This sale has sparked a renewed appreciation for Kanwal’s artistic contributions, particularly as a pioneer of Indian modernism and a rare chronicler of Tibetan ceremonial life in the 20th century. The painting, deeply rooted in both political and spiritual history, was formerly held in the collection of Sir Basil Gould, the British Political Officer in Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet during the early 20th century.

Krishna Kanwal: A Pillar of Indian Modernism

Born in 1910, Krishna Kanwal was one of the early proponents of Indian modernist painting. He was famous for his skillful handling of landscapes, portraiture, and daily life scenes. His work broke away from colonial aesthetics and explored themes of cultural identity and historical narrative.

Kanwal holds the distinction of being the only Indian artist present at the 1940 enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama. This privilege to attend was due to his close association with Sir Basil Gould. His watercolor depictions of this important event have historical significance. They provide some of the only visual records by a native observer during a critical transition in Tibetan history.

His paintings from this period are unique visual documents of pre-modern Tibet. They portray with intricate detail the traditions, religious figures, and regal ceremonies of the Himalayan region.

Dalai Lama Portrait: A Masterpiece of Spiritual Significance

The recently auctioned portrait of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, at His Enthronement is a technical triumph. More importantly, it is also a cultural artifact of monumental importance. Created in 1940, it captures the sacred moment when the four-year-old Tenzin Gyatso was placed upon the Golden Throne in Lhasa. This event marks his formal recognition as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

According to Giles Peppiatt, Bonhams’ Director of Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art, the painting was the centerpiece of Gould’s collection. The portrait exudes an aura of spiritual profundity, showing the young Dalai Lama emanating wisdom and serenity beyond his years — sentiments echoed by contemporaries who attended the enthronement.

The composition blends vivid yet muted palettes, precise figuration, and deep symbolic elements, making it a masterclass in watercolor technique. It stands not just as a portrait but as an emotional and spiritual statement on the awakening of leadership and divinity.

Unprecedented Demand: Watercolors Sells for £457,600

In the same Bonhams sale, a group of 40 watercolors by Krishna Kanwal during the 1940 expedition to Tibet achieved a staggering £457,600 ($621,633), fees included. This ensemble of works is also linked to the enthronement ceremonies and Tibetan religious life. It further underscored Kanwal’s importance as a visual historian.

Each painting in the group offers an intimate perspective of a culture on the cusp of profound change. These watercolors serve as an ethnographic archive, invaluable to both art connoisseurs and scholars of Himalayan culture.

The exceptional bidding activity is indicative of the growing international interest in rare Indian and Himalayan art. There was a particular focus on works tied to Tibet’s pre-occupation heritage.

The Bonhams event also featured a 49-lot dedicated sale of Sir Basil Gould’s collection and archive. It achieved a total of £951,770 ($1.29 million) with a 96% sell-through rate. Among the key highlights was Gould’s 1941 official report detailing the recognition and enthronement of the Dalai Lama. In both English and Tibetan, the record fetched £14,080 ($18,981).

Gould’s archive of rare books and manuscripts was a window into British diplomatic relations with Tibet during the early 20th century. His meticulous records, coupled with Kanwal’s artworks, provide a complementary visual and textual history of one of the most significant episodes in Tibetan religious life.

From Obscurity to Spotlight: Kanwal’s Auction Record Soars

Before this landmark sale, Krishna Kanwal’s highest auction price was a relatively modest $13,200. It was set in December 2023 for A Tibetan Monastery, a 1951 watercolor at a Saffronart online auction.

The new record of £152,800 represents a more than tenfold increase; it also reflects the rising value of Indian modern art. Additionally, it articulates the exceptional rarity and narrative depth of Kanwal’s Tibetan works. The dramatic rise in value also positions him as a key figure for collectors seeking historically charged modernist art from the Indian subcontinent.

Dalai Lama Portrait: A Unique Visual Legacy of Enthronement

Few artists have had the honor or access to document the Dalai Lama’s enthronement with such intimacy and reverence. What makes Kanwal’s paintings especially significant is not only their aesthetic and historical value but also their unique perspective. They privileged an Indian artist at a time when cultural documentation was largely dominated by British and European voices.

His work bridges worlds: the East and West, the secular and the sacred, the documentary and the poetic. As such, Kanwal’s portfolio occupies a singular space in South Asian and Himalayan art history.

Future Outlook at the Market for Indian and Tibetan Art

With this record-breaking sale, Krishna Kanwal’s name joins the ranks of other blue-chip Indian modernists. His work will feature more prominently in international auctions and museum collections.

The success of the Bonhams sale demonstrates a strong appetite for art that is both historically resonant and emotionally evocative. Collectors are increasingly seeking works that tell complex, authentic stories, particularly those tied to spiritual and geopolitical history.

As the art world continues to diversify and decolonize its lens, Krishna Kanwal’s work is finally receiving the global recognition it deserves.