Rajasthan Miniature Flower Painting

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Contemporary: item #705474
61-35

A Rajasthani botanical miniature on handmade paper by Bikaner artist Raju Swami is green and gold with deep gold flowers shading to orange/red. An exotic white butterfly hovers over the meticulously veined flowers. Bikaner, a remote walled desert town in western India, has a miniaturist tradition in both Mughal and Rajasthani styles. This artist, who grinds his own mineral colors and makes his own brushes that sometimes consist of only a few squirrel hairs, produces particularly fine botanicals.... Click for details

Rajasthan Miniature Painting Of Cotton Spinner

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Contemporary: item #684988
61-34

A miniature painted and signed by Bikaner artist Raju Swami contemplates a man spinning thread. Done in soft blues, greens and browns, the study is in Bikaner style, and is soft and quiet. The man crouches on the ground, stares pensively at the cotton in his hand, and appears to be thinking thoughts thousands of miles removed from his task. The miniature, signed lower right, is in perfect condition. Dimensions overall: height 7" (18 cm), width 5" (12 cm). Dimensions of image: height 6-1/4" (16 c... Click for details

Rajasthan Miniature Painting Of Mandawa Musician

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1980: item #680458
61-41

A miniature from Mandawa in the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan is focused on just one subject--a kneeling musician. The single subject and muted colors demonstrate differences between Indian miniature schools of painting that were heavily influenced by Mughal style and those that were not. Here there are no strong Mughal colors, intricate patterns of scrolling and textiles, flowers, birds and people filling the space. By contrast, the soft brown tones and space in this Mandawa piece give it a qu... Click for details

Kishangarh Miniature Painting of Musician and Peacock

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1980: item #673699
61-38

A miniature by Kishangarh painter Yogya Pralash, this work, with the addition of a peacock at the lady's feet, becomes a symbol of grace, joy, beauty and love. The peacock, national bird of India, figures importantly in Indian culture as an emblem to convey those sentiments. The musician's attire echoes the colors of the peacock's plumage and she plays a stringed instrument in a traditional pose found in miniatures from the Indian state of Rajasthan. This late 20th century painting, in very good... Click for details

Kishangarh Miniature Palace Scene Painting

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1980: item #669616
61-37

A finely detailed miniature from Kishangarh, this painting has the lyrical quality that characterizes much of the work from this area in the state of Rajasthan in India. Two delicate figures sit in the foreground within an elaborate setting of cushions, flowers, arches and windows, all rendered in tiny intricate designs. Both are richly dressed and heavily jeweled. They gaze into each others eyes before drinking a toast, he from a bowl, she from a tiny cup. This idealized scene, influenced by Mu... Click for details

Kishangarh Musician Miniature Painting

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1980: item #654371
61-39

The graceful musician in this Rajasthani miniature gazes at birds while she plays a stringed instrument. The painting, from the late 20th century, is in a style that originated in the Kishangarh area of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is done on heavy old parchment and includes two lines of calligraphy in Urdu above the painted area. A signature in the lower left indicates the painter was Yogya Pralash. The miniature is in very good condition. Dimensions of parchment: height 7.5" (19 cm), widt... Click for details

Rajasthani Miniature Painting of Royal Picnic

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1920: item #639372
61-44

From Rajasthan, painted in the Mewar style, this miniature depicts two members of a royal household on a picnic. They are attended by three servants--one whisking away flying insects, one pouring wine from a flask and the third holding another flask. The seated couple are sharing a cup of wine. All five figures stand out in stark contrast to the dark gray/green forest that surrounds them. Two lines of Urdu calligraphy float in gold-colored paint across the top of the miniature. This early 20th ... Click for details

Royal Portraits, Pair of Mughal Miniatures

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1900: item #558522
61-40, 43

The splendor and sophistication of the Delhi court 300 years ago are reflected in this pair of Indian miniatures of a king and queen of Delhi. Painted in the mid-19th century, the portraits memorialize Delhi's past rulers in classic Mughal style. The king, dressed in gold, purple and peach finery, is shown holding a small red book. Two panels above the portrait repeat images of his elaborate headpiece and the book. Panels below show his royal slippers and two flowers. The colors of the queen's a... Click for details

Rajasthani/Mughal Miniature

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1920: item #388659
61-33

A synthesis of strong Mughal influence with the Mewar Rajasthani school of painting, this early 20th century miniature depicts a woman dressed in a filmy costume sitting on a balcony playing a string instrument. The peacock chair suggests a royal courtyard, which overlooks water flanked by white palaces with a green hill beyond. Small flowers and delicate Urdu calligraphy border the top and bottom of the scene. The work is done in natural pigments on a Urdu book page. The scene and its inner bor... Click for details

Mughal Miniature, Royal Portraits, Court Scene

Indian Subcontinent: India: Paintings Pre 1837 VR: item #380368
61-45

Life in the 18th century palace of the Maharajah and Maharani of Delhi is depicted in this miniature that shows a strong Mughal influence blended with other Indian schools, primarily Rajput. The mixture of the Mughal style with various schools of painting that evolved regionally has produced some of the most compelling Indian miniatures. This early 19th century work is headed with portraits of the royal couple and Urdu calligraphy. Liberal touches of gold, a legacy from Persia, add richness to t... Click for details