Your first collection
Start with your eye
Buy what you want to live with. Learn the difference between an original, a print and a reproduction.
Read guide
A little curiosity. A whole world of art.Art 101.
Art 101.
Your first canvas.
A beginner’s way into Indian art. Meet the artists, find your favourites, and understand what makes an artwork worth collecting.
M.F. HUSAIN · AMRITA SHER-GIL · S.H. RAZA · TYEB MEHTA · JAMINI ROY · RAJA RAVI VARMA · M.F. HUSAIN · AMRITA SHER-GIL · S.H. RAZA · TYEB MEHTA · JAMINI ROY · RAJA RAVI VARMA ·
Behind Art 101
Art is for
the curious.
Art 101 is a place to look closer — at Indian art, the people who make it, and the stories a canvas can hold.
From your first museum visit to your first considered purchase, this is a starting point for learning without the jargon. Curiosity comes first. Collecting can come later.
The founder’s story is coming soon.
01 · Investing
Buy with
understanding.
A good first purchase starts with looking, learning and asking the right questions.
Authenticity & provenance
Know what you’re buying
A signature is a starting point, not proof. Follow a work’s history before making an offer.
Read guideUnderstanding art prices
Read beyond the headline
Artist, period, medium and condition matter more than a single record-breaking auction.
Read guide02 · Spotlights
Indian artists,
across eras.
Amrita Sher-Gil
Modern · 1913–1941
A pioneering voice in Indian modernism, bringing everyday lives into the frame.
Illustrated portrait
M.F. Husain
Post-independence · 1915–2011
Horses, mythology and the extraordinary energy of the painted line.
Illustrated portrait
Raja Ravi Varma
Academic realism · 1848–1906
Indian stories told through oil painting, with a legacy that reached far beyond the gallery.
There Comes Papa · 1893
03 · Resources
Learn the
language of art.
05 · The conversation
Your questions,
answered.
Art 101 · Starter questions
Do I need a big budget to start collecting?
No. Start by looking and learning. Works on paper, transparently documented editions and emerging artists can offer different entry points. Choose a comfortable total budget and avoid treating any purchase as a guaranteed investment.
Art 101 · Starter questions
Can I buy art online safely?
Research the seller, ask for a condition report and provenance, and confirm the return policy in writing. A certificate of authenticity is only as reliable as its issuer. Seek independent advice for expensive or uncertain purchases.
Art 101 · Starter questions
What makes one artwork cost more than another?
The artist, period, medium, scale, rarity, condition and ownership history all contribute. Compare similar works and dated sales rather than applying one record price to an artist’s entire output.
Art 101 · Starter questions
How do I discover what I actually like?
Look slowly and often. Visit museums, revisit favourites and note what catches your eye: colour, subject, texture or emotion. Your taste can change, and it does not have to match the market.