With
the mention of Mughal School of Painting, stylized images of ornately draped
figures implicated in various court activities flashes in front of eyes. These
paintings confine your imagination because of their exclusive style, choice and
medley of themes. These paintings are an intermingling of the Indian and the
Persian style and depicted assorted themes. The themes were both instructive
and stimulating. The splendor of Mughal eras and a bent for beauty is
skillfully presented through these paintings.
Origin
of Mughal School of Paintings
The
genesis, nature and progress of Mughal School of painting are an amalgamation
of numerous components. Chinese art which had impact of Buddhist Indian art,
Hellenic, Mogolian and Iranian art was brought to Iran in the 13th century and
it kept on flourishing till 16th century in Iran. From Persia, Mughals carried
this art to India. Later, Humayun's fascination with Persian Paintings in the
court of Shah Tahmasp II in Tabriz was the foundation cause of existence of
Mughal School of Paintings. He was so infatuated with the Persian art Form that
two Persian Painters were with him when he came to India. The Indian version of
their work is today known as the Mughal Paintings. The Tutinama (‘Tales of a
Parrot’) is the first example of Mughal School of Painting. It is now in the
Cleveland Museum of Art.
Themes
of Mughal School of Painting
Mughal
Paintings gave blossoming shades of variety. The rich assortment included
events, portraits and scenes from the court life, hunting scenes, wild life and
illustrations of battle fronts. Some paintings also illustrated lovers in warm
positions.
Style
of Mughal School of Paintings
Mughal
paintings eagerly paid attention to the particulars of the designs of drapes
and jewels. Beauty was greatly concentrated upon.
Mughal
School of Painting during Babur
Babur
inherited an artistic taste. He was a great lover of art. Flowers, streams and
springs fascinated him. Paintings in Alwar manuscript of Persian version of
Babur’s Memoirs may represent the type of work his court painters created.
Mughal
School of Painting during Humayun
When
Humayun returned to Kabul from Persia, he invited Mir Sayyad Ali and Abdus
Samad and requested to illustrate Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah. Because of his early
demise, great painting works couldn’t be completed.
Mughal
School of Painting during Akbar
Painting
reached great heights during Akbar’s reign. He created a painting department.
He called painters from every part of India and abroad. It is believed that he
had an album of portraits. Eminent painters during his reign included Mir
Sayyad Ali, Abdus Samad, Daswant, Basawan, Tara Chand, Jagannath and Sanwal
Das.
Naldaman,
Ramayana, Zafarnama, Razmanamah, Chingiznama and Kalyadaman were illustrated
during his tenure.
Mughal
School of Painting during Jahangir
He
gave great impetus to painting. He was himself a prudent collector, an
enthusiast and an art critic. It was during his time when the Miniature
paintings reached the pinnacle of glory. Celebrated painters of his time
included Mohammad Nadir, Manohar, Farrukh Beg, Keshav Brothers, Aqa Riza,
Bishan Das, Ustad Mansur and Madhav.
Flowers,
birds, animals, natural objects and buildings were the most preferred subjects
of paintings.
Characteristics
of paintings of this time included predominance of realism. In the then
portrait studies, real human beings were illustrated rather than imaginary
figures. Strict Purdah system of those times makes the existence of portrait of
royal ladies doubtful. Paints and pigments used in paintings were carefully
chosen and tastefully employed. Red, golden, green, silvery white and blue were
most common hues of paintings. Paintings were also mounted and embellished with
a creative foliated border.
Mughal
School of Painting during Shah Jahan
Painting
didn’t receive much encouragement during his reign as he was more towards
architecture. Anupa Chitra, Mir Hasan and Chintamani were among the few notable
painters. At this time Dara Shikoh and Asaf Khan patronized painting.
Mughal
School of Painting during Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
also didn’t give momentum to painting. Under the patronage of nobles or on
their own, painters continued the legacy of painting.
Today
Mughal School of Paintings has been appreciated all over the globe. They have
made their own recognition and place in museums as far flung as the San Diego
Museum of Art and Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Mughal School of
paintings bended many elements. These paintings have given a new dimension to
paintings.
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