Ivan Peries’ ‘The Well’ Sells For US$640,000, Setting New Record

Sri Lankan-born artist Ivan Peries’ 1957 painting The Well has sold for US$640,000 at Christie’s South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art auction in New York, setting a new auction record for a work by a Sri Lankan-born artist.

The painting, which was offered at an estimated value of US$70,000–100,000, achieved a final price far above its pre-sale estimate.

The sale highlights the continued international recognition of Peries, one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent modern artists, whose work forms an important part of the country’s contribution to South Asian modern art.

The record-setting sale took place during Christie’s South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art auction in New York.