Collecting art is more than just a hobby. It has become a lifestyle of the connoisseurs as it is no longer seen as a picture inside a frame, but is associated with the artist’s journey. In India, however, art was never seen as a commodity, but has held great cultural significance. From Raja Ravi Verma’s realistic modern art to Rabindranath Tagore’s well-preserved sketches, the Indian art scene was among the lesser-known commercial spaces.
Taking a quick trip to an art history lesson, rulers used to commission art and have long controlled the artistic narrative of their leadership. Years later, Hurun India released their Art List, mentioning the most successful artists alive in 2025. Here’s a list of the richest artists of India, where the youngest is 60 and the oldest – a century old!
Top 10 richest artists of India
- Anish Kapoor
Maintaining the top spot for the seventh year in a row, he has secured his spot despite a 46% decline in turnover. It is credited to his immense artwork collection, with the most expensive piece sold for over Rs 9 crore. Based out of London, Kapoor is known for ‘Cloud Gate’. This piece has skyrocketed Kapoor in the contemporary art space and earned global recognition.
- Krishen Khanna
The oldest living artist on the list, Padma Shri Krishen Khanna, is 100 years old. With an overall surge of Rs 43.1 crore, he saw a 140% increase in his personal turnover. Originally in New Delhi, Khanna’s artistic sense is rooted deeply in emotional connection. His most expensive piece was listed for Rs 9.26 crore, with one of his most notable works being ‘Christ Carrying His Cross.’
- Sakti Burman
Aged 90, Burman is known to blend French symbolism with modern art, taking the viewer on a journey. With his total artwork sales reaching Rs 41.5 crore, Burman saw a 226% increase. The contemporary painter and sculptor is known for his signature piece Sacre-Coeur.
- Gulam Mohammed Sheikh
Dropping to the fourth rank this year, Sheikh is a Padma Shri (1983) and Padma Bhushan (2014) awardee. With total sales of RS 23.7 crore, the artist’s repertoire ranges from handheld paper creations to architecturally inspired masterpieces.
- Thota Vaikuntam
Seeing a 53% increase, the National Awardee Thota Vaikuntam ranked fifth on the Hurun India Art List 2025. Known for his exquisite portrayal of rural life in Telangana, his work is marked by vivid colours and bold linework
- Paresh Maity
The youngest artist on the list, Maity is a Padma Shri Awardee and generated a turnover of Rs 10.6 crore. Renowned for his fine artistic versatility, his piece, Dandi March, is the perfect blend of realism and abstraction.
- Manu Parekh
The 86-year-old marks his debut in the top ten this year after recording a 134% growth in sales. The Rs 9.5 crore cumulative sales spoke of the exquisite ‘Banaras Landscape,’ brought to life by Parekh. His abstract strokes and rich cultural expression leave the viewers awestruck every time.
- Anjolie Ela Menon
The only woman artist on the top ten list, Menon, garnered Rs 8.7 crore, displaying a 134% growth. Known for her works around mythology and human emotions, Menon developed a unique style that set her apart.
- Jogen Chowdhury
Dropping to the ninth position this year, Jogen Chowdhury had total sales reaching Rs 8.6 crore this year. His portfolio includes ‘Her Silver Throne,’ which became an epitome of artistic achievement, fluid lines, and dynamic stroke work.
- Laxma Goud
The distinguished artist from Hyderabad, is another notable debut in the top ten this year. Securing the tenth position, the cumulative sales reached Rs 7.8 crore and experienced a 44% growth this year. Hurun praised Goud’s mastery over mediums like etching, gouache, and pastel, combined with themes of rural life and eroticism.
