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Miniature Paintings
The most accomplished artists, the real masters, are capable of creating their works from a mere description, without any visual reference.
In Rajasthan the art has mostly degenerated to the point that artists do nothing but make exact copies, with little of their own consciousness going into the work. This is partly because the traditional method of learning is for the student or disciple to make exact copies of the master's work, and also because they can make a living by churning out several copies a day of standard paintings for the tourist trade. Few artists become masters in their own right.
Many of the paintings in this collection, such as the one at the right of Ganga by Damodar Sharma, were specially commissioned. Miniature paintings of this quality take a considerable time to produce, up to several months. The artist needs a calm mind and great patience to achieve a great work of art. The consciousness of the artist is an essential element, one which is missing in mass-produced paintings.
In Rajasthan the art has mostly degenerated to the point that artists do nothing but make exact copies, with little of their own consciousness going into the work. This is partly because the traditional method of learning is for the student or disciple to make exact copies of the master's work, and also because they can make a living by churning out several copies a day of standard paintings for the tourist trade. Few artists become masters in their own right.
Many of the paintings in this collection, such as the one at the right of Ganga by Damodar Sharma, were specially commissioned. Miniature paintings of this quality take a considerable time to produce, up to several months. The artist needs a calm mind and great patience to achieve a great work of art. The consciousness of the artist is an essential element, one which is missing in mass-produced paintings.
Kerala Mural Paintings
In stark contrast to the Miniature Paintings, Kerala mural paintings, all by Venugopal and Jayachandran of Tatvamasi Mural Art Group, are far more exuberant expressions of the divine.
Although a certain amount of creative scope is given to the artist, Vedic art is not an innovative art in the way that Western art is. There are certain set parameters that the artist is expect to follow, although there are many variations on every subject. These are given in texts such as the Chitrasutra.
Iconography is important in Vedic art. There is a wealth of symbolism in the particular items shown in the painting. For instance, if a two-armed form is shown, there may be a lotus in one hand, while the other hand is showing the mudra of compassion There are correct proportions to be followed, and sometimes even colors are specified.
Although a certain amount of creative scope is given to the artist, Vedic art is not an innovative art in the way that Western art is. There are certain set parameters that the artist is expect to follow, although there are many variations on every subject. These are given in texts such as the Chitrasutra.
Iconography is important in Vedic art. There is a wealth of symbolism in the particular items shown in the painting. For instance, if a two-armed form is shown, there may be a lotus in one hand, while the other hand is showing the mudra of compassion There are correct proportions to be followed, and sometimes even colors are specified.
University of Iowa Museum of Art Exhibition
In 1998, some of these paintings were featured in an exhibition of Indian Miniatures at the University of Iowa. This was, according to the curator, the most popular exhibition they had ever had. The brochure from that exhibition is posted below.
