Miniature Painting

The art of Miniature painting was introduced to India by the Mughals, who brought the much-revealed art form from Persia in the sixteenth century. The art is extensively practiced in Rajasthan and Kashmir. The Mughal ruler Humayun brought artists from Persia, who specialized in miniature painting to promote the rich art form. These artists, on their part, trained Indian artists who produced paintings in a new distinctive style, inspired by the royal and romantic lives of the Mughals. The particular miniature produced by Indian artists in Rajasthan in their own style is known as Rajput or Rajasthani miniature. Kashmiri Miniature paintings are a unique fusion of various styles, given its long history and a rich tradition of illustrated and elucidated manuscripts. The Miniature artists use paper, ivory panels, wooden tablets, leather, marble, cloth and walls for their paintings. The colours are made from minerals and vegetables, precious stones, as well as pure silver and gold. The preparing and mixing of colour is an elaborate process. It takes weeks, sometimes months, to get the desired results. The brushes are required to be very fine, and even to this day are made from the hair of squirrels. Traditionally, the paintings are aristocratic, individualistic and strong in portraiture, where mostly plush court scenes and royal hunting expeditions are depicted. Flora and Fauna are also common recurrent themes in these paintings.