गुरुवार, 22 अगस्त 2013

Mughal School of Painting

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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