The use of gold leaf in Jammu and Kashmir paintings symbolizes:

The correct answer is: b) Spirituality and divinity.

Gold leaf is a thin sheet of gold that is used in decorative arts. It is often used to create religious paintings and sculptures, as it is seen as a symbol of divinity and spirituality. In Jammu and Kashmir paintings, gold leaf is often used to highlight the most important figures or objects in the scene. It can also be used to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

The other options are incorrect because:

• Wealth and power: Gold is often seen as a symbol of wealth and power, but this is not the primary meaning of gold leaf in Jammu and Kashmir paintings.
• Joy and celebration: Gold is sometimes used to symbolize joy and celebration, but this is not the primary meaning of gold leaf in Jammu and Kashmir paintings.
• Natural sunlight: Gold is sometimes used to symbolize natural sunlight, but this is not the primary meaning of gold leaf in Jammu and Kashmir paintings.