Rajput schools of painting

Rajasthan: Paintings

The paintings of Rajput School have two different colors to their style — the former school of miniature paintings whose Growth intensified in courts all over north India and the Deccan, and the folk style which is unique to Rajasthan. The glorious 16th century saw the rise in different schools of paintings such as the Mewar school, the Bundi-Kota Kalam, the Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishengarh and the Marwar schools. Miniature paintings are made in Mughal or Rajasthani styles. The Rajasthani miniatures are different from the Mughal ones in terms of color and compositions. They use bright colors and bold compositions and touch several themes such as the kings, religion, and secular whereas the Mughal miniatures were restricted to court scenes and emperors. The most admired Rajasthani painting is one depicting Krishna Leela. Pichhwais of Nathdwara are purely dedicated to Lord Krishna.

The Rajasthani Paintings are broadly of two type viz. Courtly and Literary. The paintings of courtly type include the portraits of the rulers holding different states of Rajputana. Most of these rulers have been depicted either as holding the courts or doing some past time such as hunting. The literary paintings on the other hand show the intimate connection with the poetry. These are the illustrated versions of some of the important literary works such as Amar-Sataka, Sur Sagara, Rasamanjari, Rasikpriya etc.

Factors leading to development

Two major factors contributed greatly to the development of Rajasthani Paintings. First, the commercial community of Rajputana was economically prosperous. Second, the revival of ‘Vaisnavism’ and the growth of Bhakti cult provided a direction to the development of a distinct school.

The folk style of paintings is divided into two styles. Phads—they are in the form of a scroll painted on a big canvas. They depict the legends of Pabuji Ramdeo of the Rabari tribe, and his black mare. The colors used are bright orange, red and black. Pichwais—they are decorative curtain cloths used as a background for divine images or idols in a place of worship. The styles vary from brocaded, block printed, embroidered or golden thread work.

Rajasthani painting consists of four principal schools that have within them several artistic styles and substyles that can be traced to the various princely states that patronised these artists. The four principal schools^[1] are as follows:

The Mewar school that contains the Chavand, Nathdwara, Devgarh, Udaipur and Sawar styles of painting

The Marwar school comprising the Kishangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali and Ghanerao styles

The Hadotischool with the Kota, Bundi and Jhalawar styles and

The Dhundar school of Amber, Jaipur, Shekhawati and Uniara styles of painting.

Mewār painting, one of the most important schools of Indian miniature painting of the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a school in the Rājasthanī style and was developed in the Hindu principality of Mewār (in Rājasthān state). The works of the school are characterized by simple bright colour and direct emotional appeal. The comparatively large number of paintings to which dates and places of origin can be ascribed make possible a more comprehensive picture of the development of painting in Mewār than in any other Rājasthanī school. The earliest-dated examples come from a rāgamālā (musical modes) series painted in 1605 at Chawand, an early capital of the state. This expressive and vigorous style continued with some variations through 1680, after which time Mughal influence became more apparent. One of the outstanding painters of the early phase was the artist Sāhibdīn.

The Mewār school continued through the 18th century and into the 19th, the production being fairly prolific. An increasing number of paintings were concerned with portraiture and the life of the ruler, though religious themes continued to be popular.

Būndi painting, important school of the Rājasthanī style of Indian miniature painting that lasted from the 17th to the end of the 19th century in the princely state of Būndi and its neighbouring principality of Kota.

The earliest examples (c. 1625) show Rājasthanī features, particularly in the depiction of men and Women, but Mughal influence is exceptionally strong. In richness and brilliance Būndi painting has an affinity also with the painting of the Deccan, an area with which the rulers of Būndi and Kota were often in contact.

The Būndi school is characterized by a fondness for lush vegetation, dramatic night skies, a distinctive way of depicting water by Light swirls against a dark background, and vivid movement. The school reached its peak during the first half of the 18th century but continued to flourish into the 19th century and had a brilliant phase at Kotah during the reign of Rām Singh II (1828–66). These vigorous paintings depict royal tiger hunts in the thick and hilly jungle of the region and various aspects of the life of the king.

Mālwa painting, 17th-century school of Rājasthanī miniature painting centred largely in Mālwa and Bundelkhand (in modern Madhya Pradesh state); it is sometimes referred to as Central Indian painting on the basis of its geographical distribution. The school was conservative, and little development is seen from the earliest examples, such as the Rasikapriyā (a poem analyzing the love sentiment) series dated 1636 and the Amaru Śataka (a Sanskrit poem of the late 17th century), now in the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Bombay. Little is known of the nature of the school in the 18th century.

Mālwa paintings show a fondness for rigorously flat compositions, black and chocolate-brown backgrounds, figures shown against a solid colour patch, and architecture painted in lively colour. The school’s most appealing features are a primitive charm and a simple childlike vision.

Kishangarh painting, 18th-century school of the Rājasthanī style of Indian painting that arose in the princely state of Kishangarh (central Rājasthān state). The school is clearly distinguished by its individualistic facial type and its religious intensity. The sensitive, refined features of the men and women are drawn with pointed noses and chins, deeply curved eyes, and serpentine locks of hair. Their action is frequently shown to occur in large panoramic landscapes.

Though competent paintings similar in style to late Mughal art were perhaps being done in Kishangarh at the end of the 17th century, the brilliant series of paintings on the Rādhā–Krishna theme were due largely to the inspiration of Raja Sāvant Singh (reigned 1748–57). He was a poet, also, who wrote under the name of Nagari Dās, as well as a devout member of the Vallabhācārya sect, which worships the lord in his appearance on Earth as Krishna, the divine lover. Sāvant Singh fell in love with a singer in the employ of his stepmother called Bani Thani (“Lady of Fashion”), and it is speculated that her features may have been the model for the Kishangarh facial type. The master artist largely responsible for transmitting the romantic and religious passions of his patron into new and fresh visual images was Nihal Chand.

Dhundhar is a historical region of Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the districts of Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur and Tonk. In ancient times, the regions in and around Jaipur were known as Dhundar. Most parts of Alwar, Jaipur, and Shekhawati are still called Dhundar Pradesh.

The Dhundar school of paintings was much popular for its exclusive folk art paintings.

The miniature paintings of these two centers are superb creations and typically portraying beautiful women with round faces, large eyes, long neck and pointed nose. The haunting activities of the erstwhile ruler and emperor’s are depicted in these paintings.

The Rajput schools of painting are a group of Indian painting styles that developed in the courts of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan and Gujarat from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The schools are characterized by their use of bright colors, intricate designs, and idealized depictions of human figures.

The major Rajput schools of painting are:

Mewar: The Mewar school of painting was the most important of the Rajput schools. It developed in the Mewar kingdom, which was located in the northwestern part of Rajasthan. The Mewar school is known for its use of bright colors, its intricate designs, and its idealized depictions of human figures.
Bundi: The Bundi school of painting developed in the Bundi kingdom, which was located in the southeastern part of Rajasthan. The Bundi school is known for its use of bold colors, its dramatic compositions, and its depiction of everyday life.
Kota: The Kota school of painting developed in the Kota kingdom, which was located in the southeastern part of Rajasthan. The Kota school is known for its use of delicate colors, its lyrical compositions, and its depiction of courtly life.
Marwar: The Marwar school of painting developed in the Marwar kingdom, which was located in the northwestern part of Rajasthan. The Marwar school is known for its use of realistic colors, its detailed compositions, and its depiction of historical events.
Jaipur: The Jaipur school of painting developed in the Jaipur kingdom, which was located in the central part of Rajasthan. The Jaipur school is known for its use of bright colors, its intricate designs, and its depiction of courtly life.
Bikaner: The Bikaner school of painting developed in the Bikaner kingdom, which was located in the northwestern part of Rajasthan. The Bikaner school is known for its use of bold colors, its dramatic compositions, and its depiction of everyday life.
Jodhpur: The Jodhpur school of painting developed in the Jodhpur kingdom, which was located in the northwestern part of Rajasthan. The Jodhpur school is known for its use of realistic colors, its detailed compositions, and its depiction of historical events.
Gujarat: The Gujarat school of painting developed in the Gujarat kingdom, which was located in the northwestern part of India. The Gujarat school is known for its use of bright colors, its intricate designs, and its depiction of Hindu deities.

The Rajput schools of painting were influenced by a variety of sources, including Mughal painting, Persian painting, and European painting. The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Mughal painting was characterized by its use of bright colors, its intricate designs, and its depiction of courtly life. Persian painting was also an important influence on the Rajput schools of painting. Persian painting was characterized by its use of bold colors, its dramatic compositions, and its depiction of everyday life. European painting also had an impact on the Rajput schools of painting, particularly in the 18th century. European painting was characterized by its use of realistic colors, its detailed compositions, and its depiction of historical events.

The Rajput schools of painting produced a wide variety of works of art, including paintings, murals, and miniatures. Paintings were typically made on cloth or paper, while murals were painted on walls or ceilings. Miniatures were small paintings that were often used to illustrate books or manuscripts. The Rajput schools of painting produced a wide variety of subjects, including religious subjects, secular subjects, and historical subjects. Religious subjects typically depicted Hindu deities or scenes from Hindu Epics. Secular subjects typically depicted scenes from courtly life or everyday life. Historical subjects typically depicted scenes from the history of the Rajput kingdoms.

The Rajput schools of painting declined in the 19th century, due to a number of factors, including the decline of the Rajput kingdoms, the rise of British rule in India, and the introduction of Western art. However, the Rajput schools of painting have had a lasting influence on Indian art, and their works continue to be admired and studied by art historians and collectors around the world.

One of the most famous examples of Rajput painting is the Mewar school’s “Padmini’s Palace.” This painting depicts the legendary queen Padmini of Chittorgarh, who is said to have committed jauhar, or self-immolation, along with her 16,000 women, rather than be captured by the Mughal emperor Alauddin Khilji. The painting is notable for its use of bright colors, its intricate designs, and its idealized depiction of Padmini.

Another famous example of Rajput painting is the Bundi school’s “The Battle of Haldighati.” This painting depicts the battle between the Rajput ruler Rana Pratap and the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1576. The painting is notable for its use of bold colors, its dramatic composition, and its depiction of the violence of battle.

What is the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a period of European history from the 14th to the 17th century, marking the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age. It was a time of great change and innovation in art, literature, science, and philosophy.

What are some of the key figures of the Renaissance?

Some of the key figures of the Renaissance include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Galileo Galilei.

What were some of the major achievements of the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a time of great intellectual and artistic achievement. Some of the major achievements of the Renaissance include the development of perspective in painting, the invention of the printing press, and the rediscovery of classical texts.

What were some of the social and political changes of the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a time of great social and political change. The rise of humanism led to a new emphasis on individual achievement and the importance of Education. The invention of the printing press made it possible for more people to access information and ideas. And the rediscovery of classical texts led to a renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture.

What was the impact of the Renaissance on the world?

The Renaissance had a profound impact on the world. It helped to usher in the Modern Age and its emphasis on individualism, reason, and progress. The Renaissance also led to the development of new technologies, such as the printing press, which had a major impact on Society.

What are some of the criticisms of the Renaissance?

Some critics of the Renaissance argue that it was a time of great inequality and that it led to the exploitation of the working class. Others argue that the Renaissance was a time of great cultural imperialism, as European powers sought to impose their culture on other parts of the world.

What are some of the lasting legacies of the Renaissance?

The Renaissance has had a lasting legacy on the world. It helped to shape the development of Western culture and its emphasis on individualism, reason, and progress. The Renaissance also led to the development of new technologies, such as the printing press, which had a major impact on society.

What is the Baroque period?

The Baroque period was a period of European history and art that lasted from the early 17th century to the early 18th century. It was a time of great change and upheaval, as the old order was challenged by new ideas and new ways of thinking.

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Baroque art is characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, its exaggerated use of perspective, and its focus on emotion and movement. Some of the most famous Baroque artists include Caravaggio, Bernini, and Rubens.

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The Baroque period was a time of great artistic achievement. Some of the major achievements of the Baroque period include the development of new techniques in painting, sculpture, and architecture. The Baroque period also saw the rise of opera, a new form of musical theater.

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The Baroque period was a time of great social and political change. The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) was a major conflict that devastated Europe. The Baroque period also saw the rise of absolutism, as monarchs sought to consolidate their power.

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The Baroque period had a profound impact on the world. It helped to spread European culture to other parts of the world. The Baroque period also saw the development of new technologies, such as the Telescope, which had a major impact on science.

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Some critics of the Baroque period argue that it was a time of great excess and that it led to the exploitation of the working class. Others argue that the Baroque period was a time of great cultural imperialism, as European powers sought to impose their culture on other parts of the world.

What are some of the lasting legacies of the Baroque period?

The Baroque period has had a lasting legacy on the world. It helped to shape the development of Western culture and its emphasis on emotion, movement, and drama. The Baroque period also led to the development of new technologies, such as the telescope, which had a major impact on science.

The Mughal school of painting was founded by:
(a) Akbar the Great
(b) Jahangir
(c) Shah Jahan
(d) Aurangzeb
The Mughal school of painting was influenced by:
(a) Persian painting
(b) Chinese painting
(c) European painting
(d) All of the above
The Mughal school of painting is characterized by:
(a) Its use of bright colors
(b) Its use of gold and silver leaf
(c) Its use of intricate patterns
(d) All of the above
Some of the most famous Mughal painters include:
(a) Basawan
(b) Mir Sayyid Ali
(c) Abu’l Hasan
(d) All of the above
The Mughal school of painting declined in the 18th century due to:
(a) The death of Aurangzeb
(b) The decline of the Mughal Empire
(c) The rise of European power in India
(d) All of the above
The Rajput schools of painting were founded by:
(a) The Rajput rulers of Rajasthan
(b) The Mughal emperors
(c) The British East India Company
(d) The MARATHA EMPIRE
The Rajput schools of painting were influenced by:
(a) Mughal painting
(b) Persian painting
(c) European painting
(d) All of the above
The Rajput schools of painting are characterized by:
(a) Their use of bright colors
(b) Their use of gold and silver leaf
(c) Their use of intricate patterns
(d) All of the above
Some of the most famous Rajput painters include:
(a) Nainsukh
(b) Manaku
(c) Kesu Kalan
(d) All of the above
The Rajput schools of painting declined in the 19th century due to:
(a) The decline of the Rajput kingdoms
(b) The rise of British power in India
(c) The introduction of photography
(d) All of the above