Paintings of Rajasthan also popularly known as Rajasthani paintings or Rajput paintings are known for its magnificence and grandeur. Rajasthan has been the prime center of art and crafts since many centuries. Especially in the Rajput era, in the medieval period arts and crafts flourished due to the patronage of the ruling houses. There is a certain richness in the art, from this region that can be attributed to the favor it found with the royal families of the state.
Influenced by the surroundings Rajasthani paintings depicted themes like the hills and valleys, deserts, places and forts, gardens, court scenes, religious processions and those highlighting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna were the recurrent themes of these paintings. The Raagamala paintings and those based on Geeta Govinda are treasures of Rajasthan.
The most important thing about the Rajasthani painting is that, it does not flourished in a single place. All over Rajasthan, painters use to make paintings with distinctive features which were determined by local customs and followings. It is because of this fact one can easily explain the presence of diverse influences in the Rajasthani school of painting.
Influenced by the surroundings Rajasthani paintings depicted themes like the hills and valleys, deserts, places and forts, gardens, court scenes, religious processions and those highlighting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna were the recurrent themes of these paintings. The Raagamala paintings and those based on Geeta Govinda are treasures of Rajasthan.
The most important thing about the Rajasthani painting is that, it does not flourished in a single place. All over Rajasthan, painters use to make paintings with distinctive features which were determined by local customs and followings. It is because of this fact one can easily explain the presence of diverse influences in the Rajasthani school of painting.
Colors
The artists of Rajasthan used natural colors for their paintings derived from the natural sources like minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver. Preparation and the mixing of colors was an elaborate process and it took weeks, sometimes months, to get the desired results. Very fine brushes were made for different kinds of paintings.
Amber and Jaipur Schools
Portrait paintings are the characteristic feature of Amber and Jaipur school. The portrait were executed in a markedly Mughal style. The center of Amber school shifted to Jaipur in 1728 when Raja Jai Singh shifted his capital here. Jaipur paintings flourished under the Patronage of Jai Singh and his successor. The paintings clearly showed inheritance from the Mughal source but the bold compositions and use of abstractions were distinctly regional.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries Jaipur school produced many classical paintings based on the episode of lord Krishna' s life. The other popular themes of the paintings were ragamala and devotional subjects. These found patronage outside the Jaipur court as well.
Bikaner School
Bikaner paintings of Rajasthan was very close to the Mughal tradition. This resulted in the fineness and delicacies in the painting. Bikaner paintings were also influenced by the Deccani paintings. During the late 18th century, Bikaner paintings started showing conservative Rajput influence.
Hadauti Painting School
These are the paintings that hail from the regions of Kota and Bundi, in south-western Rajasthan.
Bundi
Earliest Bundi painting was Chunar Ragamala painted in 1561. The Bundi paintings started to flourish in the 17th century under the reigns of Rao Chattar Sal (1631-58) and Bhao Singh (1658-81). The main theme of the Bundi painting include court scenes, themes from the life of nobles, lovers, and ladies, flowing rivers, dense forests, lush green fields etc. . Colors used on these paintings were bold that were typical of the Rajasthani style. Yet, they retained the delicacy of the Mughal style.
There are some of the masterpieces that were produced by the artists of this school. These paintings were painted in the second half of the 17th century and include:
Earliest Bundi painting was Chunar Ragamala painted in 1561. The Bundi paintings started to flourish in the 17th century under the reigns of Rao Chattar Sal (1631-58) and Bhao Singh (1658-81). The main theme of the Bundi painting include court scenes, themes from the life of nobles, lovers, and ladies, flowing rivers, dense forests, lush green fields etc. . Colors used on these paintings were bold that were typical of the Rajasthani style. Yet, they retained the delicacy of the Mughal style.
There are some of the masterpieces that were produced by the artists of this school. These paintings were painted in the second half of the 17th century and include:
- Painting of a couple watching pigeons
- Couple in a pavilion
- Lovers viewing a crescent moon
Kota
The state of Kota was created in the first of the seventeenth century from the established kingdom of Bundi. The painting style developed here retained primarily all the Rajasthani influence. However there was one contrast that make it different from other prevalent school styles. This difference was that
The state of Kota was created in the first of the seventeenth century from the established kingdom of Bundi. The painting style developed here retained primarily all the Rajasthani influence. However there was one contrast that make it different from other prevalent school styles. This difference was that
Kota paintings were spontaneous and calligraphic in execution. Kota painters laid more emphasis on
the double lidded eye, and are characterized by remarkable shading. The figures of women painted here are graceful, with well proportioned bodies and sharp features.
The portrait painting of the Kota school employed vibrant colors and bold lines. In the first half of the 18thy century, Kota painters began to depict male with a long hooked nose. In Kota paintings, the major themes that were depicted are:
the double lidded eye, and are characterized by remarkable shading. The figures of women painted here are graceful, with well proportioned bodies and sharp features.
The portrait painting of the Kota school employed vibrant colors and bold lines. In the first half of the 18thy century, Kota painters began to depict male with a long hooked nose. In Kota paintings, the major themes that were depicted are:
- Hunting scenes
- Ragamalas
- Portraits
- Scenes of worship
- Court Scene and processions
- Natural Scenes
Kishengarh school
The Kishengarh school is best known for its Bani Thani paintings. Long necks, large, almond shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colors are the features peculiar to this school. The school flourished under the patronage of Raja Sawant Singh, better known as Nagari Das. The usual court scenes have also been painted here but it was Nagari Das and his love for the singer-poet Bani Thani that gave this tiny state the most refined and delicate paintings.
The Kishengarh school is best known for its Bani Thani paintings. Long necks, large, almond shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colors are the features peculiar to this school. The school flourished under the patronage of Raja Sawant Singh, better known as Nagari Das. The usual court scenes have also been painted here but it was Nagari Das and his love for the singer-poet Bani Thani that gave this tiny state the most refined and delicate paintings.
2 comments:
I'm interested in authentic Raag-Ragini miniature paintings (preferably certified) circa 1800
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