Important lines/points of art history

Elements of art

•Point: - Point-a dot, is the first and simplest elements of art.

• Line: - A line is a path that point takes from one place to another through space.

• Shape and Form: - Shape is two-dimensional with height and width. Form is three dimensional with height, width and depth.

• Space: -Technically it is divided into Positive space and Negative space. Positive space refers to the space of a shape
representing the subject matter. Negative space refers to the space around and between the subject matter.

•Colour: - Colour is a property possessed by an object to produce different sensations with the help of reflection of light.

Types of colours

➢ Primary colours (Blue, Red and Yellow),

➢ Secondary colours (Violet, Green and Orange)

➢ Tertiary colours: When we mix one primary colour and one secondary colour we get tertiary colour.

➢ Analogous colours: colours of one category (similar colours).

➢ Complementary or opposite colours: Blue+Yellow =Green, which is opposite to Red.

Similarly Red +Yellow =Orange, which is opposite to Blue. Blue +Red = Violet, which is opposite to Yellow.

➢ Warm colors (maximum wavelength for example, red and yellow)

➢ Cool colors (minimum wavelength for example, blue and green)

➢ Natural colours: These are Black, white and shades of brown and Gray.

Properties of colours

➢ Hue: Hue means a true colour. For example, Red, yellow, Orange, Violet, Blue and Green

➢ Value: It is the degree of lightness or darkness of a colour. For example, Pink and Maroon.

➢ Intensity: it is the strength of a colour- brightness or dullness of a colour. Magenta is a bright colour whereas Olive green is a
dull colour.

• 6. Texture: -texture is the surface quality of materials, either visual or tactile.

Shadanga- six limbs (canons) of art

• During 200-300 AD Vatsyana wrote Kamsutra in which 64 types of art, out of which painting has been ranked fourth place in
which wrote six Limbs of painting.

•Roopbheda Pramanani Bhav Lavanya yojanam i

Sadrishya Vanikabhang iti chitra Shandangkam ii

• This couplet has been given even in Pandit Yashodhar’s annotation on ‘Jaymangala’.
Ropa Bheda: The knowledge of form and appearance.

• Pramanam: Correct measurement and structure (Proportion).

• Bhava : Expression of feelings in the forms.

• Lavanya Yojanam :Artistic representation of infusion or grace or outer beauty.

• Sadrisyam: Similitude, Resemblance or Actuality.

• Varnika Bhanga :Artistic manner of using art material such as brushes, colours, pencil etc. How the completed artwork is to be
framed and hanged at proper place.

Principles of art

• Balance: Formal or symmetrical balance, Informal or asymmetrical balance, Radial balance

• Emphasis / Dominance: Emphasis refers to the created centre of interest or a focal point, the place where your eye first lands.

• Rhythm /Movement: Rhythm or movement refers to the suggestion of motion through the use of various elements.

• Proportion: Proportion is the size of parts in relation to a whole and to one another.

• Variety: Variety means the use of various elements to make the art work more interesting.

• Harmony / Unity: Harmony gives an uncomplicated look to a piece of art.

• Abstraction: Abstraction as an expression or work in which a subject is not realistically presented or even recognized.

• Stylization: Stylization is addition / improvisation of artificial elements into an artwork to make it visually attractive.

Evolution of Art in India

• Cultural advancement reflected from the time of Indus Valley civilization.

• The Pal School - 8th to 12th centuries.

• Pragyapermita is a Buddhist manuscript was painted on leaves of palm tree around 999 A.D.

• The Western Indian School or Jain School - 10th to 16th centuries.

• Mandu Kalpsutra of 1439 AD was a Jain ascetic.

• In the 14th century Palm leaves were replaced by paper.

• Jain school of paintings painted on both palm leaves & cloths.

• Miniature painting in the Jain Kalpsutra style was started in Mewar (Udaipur) in the beginning of the 15th century.

•Other Isolated Styles of miniature painting – 1500 to 1550 A.D.

• Most developed form in Jain Kalpsutra style can be seen in Palam Bhagwat of 1555 A.D.

• Kalpsutra were painted on Palm tree leaves.

• Pala dynasty belongs to West Bengal & Jain so state of Andhra Pradesh.
Rajasthani School of miniature

• Rajasthani or Rajpoot art – 16th to 19th century.

• 17th century was known for Pali Ragmala at Jodhpur.

• Sub-schools of Rajasthani miniature paintings- Mewar (Udaipur), Bundi, Jodhpur, Bikaner,

Kishangarh, Jaipur and Kota sub-School.

• Famous paintings of Rajasthani School- Raja Aniruddha Singh Hara, Maru-Ragini, Krishna on Swing, Radha (Bani-Thani),
Chaugan Players and Bharat Meets Rama at Chitrakuta.

• Sahibdin and Manohar belong to Mewar sub-School.

• The Jain theme of the painting is found in Mewar Painting.

• Charupanchshika style is similar to Mewar style.

• Skin colour in Rajasthani miniature is Brown.

• Ali Raja, Sahibdin, Ruknudin, Nurudin and Murad belong to Bikaner sub-School.

• Bhawani Das, Surat Ram, & Nihal Chand belongs to Kishangarh sub School.

• Jaipur sub School- Patronage king Sawai Jai Singh and famous painters Md. Shah & Sahib Ram.Maru-Ragini

•Maru-Ragini painting was painted by Sahibdin of Mewar (Udaipur) school in 18th century in water colour on paper with
Tempera technique and collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• This is important painting of ‘Ragmala’ series.

• The king and the queen are shown riding on a camel back in desert background.

•An attendant and two male escorts with swords and a white hound has been shown running. Krishna on Swing

• Krishna on swing painting was painted by Nuruddin of Bikaner sub-school in 1683 A.D. in water colour with Tempera technique
and collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• The painting has two panels- in left side of the upper panel, Krishna has been shown sitting on swing and intently looking
towards Radha sitting in a balcony of his right side.

• In lower panel, Radha and Krishna have been shown sitting separately on red carpets under a tree and Radha’s attendant has
been shown standing beside Krishna.

Radha (Bani-Thani)

•Radha (Bani-Thani) painting was painted by Nihal Chand of Kishangarh sub-school in 1760 A.D. in water colour on paper with
Tempera technique collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• The Government of India had issued a postal stamp on this famous miniature painting.

• In this artistic portrait, Radha is smiling mysteriously so it’s called “Indian Monlisa”.

• The nose is long, sharp and pointed. Arched eyebrows, thin red lips and hair is dangling down on the cheek. She is very softly
holding two buds of lotus in her left hand.

Chaugan Players

•Chaugan Players painting was painted by Dana of Jodhpur sub-school in 18th Century in water colour on paper with Tempera
technique collected in National Museum, New Delhi.
• In this painting the six princesses have been shown playing Polo or Chaugan.

•All princes have been shown riding on their well-equipped horses of white, blue and deep grey coloured with royal apparels of
different colours.

Bharat Meets Rama at Chitrakuta

•Bharat Meets Rama at Chitrakuta painting was painted by Guman of Jaipur school in 18thCentury in water colour with Tempera
technique collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• Painter has painted an episode of the Ramayana through 49 very ordinary human figures.

•Bharat and Satrughna, with their wives, mothers and preceptors arrived Chitrakut and trying to persuade Rama, Lakshman and
Sita to come back to Ayodhya.

•Dark skinned Rama, with halo, has been shown in ruddle-coloured clothes.

• In the background, Dark green hut has been shown, many trees, flowers and plants were also depicted.

Pahari School of miniature

• Pahari School of art – 17th to 19th century.

• Sub-schools of Pahari School of miniature painting- Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Chamba, Garhwal and Mandi sub-School.

• Famous paintings of Pahari School- Krishna with Gopis and Nand, Yashoda and Krishna with Kinsmen going to Vrindavan.

• Kangra miniature painting’s topics are based on Kesav Das’ poetry – ‘Rasik Priya’.

• Garhwal sub-School developed symbolic design is the specialty of Hindoor (Nalagarh) art

• Tantric forms of Goddesses are the specialty of Mandi miniature paintings, use mostly dark black, red & blue colours.

• Sitaram, Badan Singh & Nanak Ram were painter of Kangra School.

• Kangra School painting was inspired by the Vaishnavite tradition.

Krishna with Gopies

• Krishna with Gopies painting was painted by Manaku of Basohli sub-school in 1630A.D. in water colour on paper with Tempera
technique collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• In this painting, blue skinned Krishna has been shown singing and dancing with gopies on the bank of the river Yamuna.

•Radha is standing with folding hands with her female attendant holding an umbrella in one of her hands.

Nand, Yashoda and Krishna with Kinsmen going to Vrindavan

•Nand, Yashoda and Krishna with Kinsmen going to Vrindavan painting was painted by

Nainsukh of Kangra school in 1785-90 A.D. in water colour Tempera technique.

•Based on the episode of Bhagvat Purana. In this painting thirteen figures have been shown.

• In this painting, the inhabitants of Gokul as well as Nand, Yashoda and Krishna have been shown going to Vrindavan.
Mughal School of miniature

•Mughal School of art- 1560 to 1850 A.D.

• Akbar is acknowledged as the father of Mughal art.

• Akbar established a Tasvirkhana house in his court.

• Mir Saiyad Ali and Abdul Samad was Iranian master artist in Mughal School.

• Akbar regime was the initiative period of the Mughal art.

• Ramayana, Mahabharata, Harivansh Purana, Hamjnama, Shahnama, Tutinama, Babernama etc are Akbar period paintings.

• Portraits were first promoted in miniature by Akbar but women painting not allowed.

•With the portrait of Noorjahan Jahangir promoted women portrait.

• European elements shown in Jahangir period’s painting.

• Shahjahan preferred architecture rather than painting.

• Darashikoh, Ranadil, Bajbahadur-Roopmati, Laila-Majnu are love-story paintings belongs to Shahjahan period.

• Provincial Mughal style was developed in Avadh and Datiya painting work in pure Mughal style.

• Pick/Golden period of Mughal miniature- Jahangir period.

• Skin colour in human figure of Mughal miniature is Fairer.

Kabir and Raidas

• Kabir and Raidas was painted by Ustad Faquirullah Khan in 1640 A.D. on the request of Dara Shikoh, the lovely son of
Shahjahan in water colour on paper with Tempera technique collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• Saint Kabir has been shown weaving cloth out of his hut and close to him saint Raidas is sitting on a carpet on the ground.

•Both the saints have tied turbans on their heads and the delineation of rural surrounding is real. Hut’s drawing is clear and shades
of only brown, black and white colours.

Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhana

• Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhana was painted by Miskin during the period of Akbar's regime in 1585-1590 A.D. in water
colour on paper with Tempera technique collected in National

Museum, New Delhi.

• This was drawn for the manuscript of Harivansh Puran.

•Blue-skin Krishna has been shown lifting up the Govardhana parvata on his left hand. Krishna has worn yellow clothes and a
crown on his head which is made of peacock's tail feathers.

• The hill has been shown with the lights of different colours in Persian style; upon that many kinds of creatures and trees have
been shown.

• The dense shclouds, over the hill, have been shown with dark blue colour.
Falcon on a Bird-Rest

• Falcon on a Bird-Rest was painted by Ustad Mansoor in 1618-19 A.D. Preserved in the Jahangirnama in water colour on paper
and collected in Maharaja Sawai Man Singh, Museum, Jaipur.

• The bird is painted in a white against the yellow background contrasted with the brownish black feathers of its folded wings and
dark brown markings all over the wings.

• Parts of an inscription in Devnagri script are still visible in the painting.

• Three words 'Jahangir Paat Syah', Bahari' and ' Uttam' are written which perhaps refer to the emperor's best falcon.

Marriage procession of Dara Shikoh

•Marriage procession of Dara Shikoh was painted by Haji Madani in 1740-50 A.D. during the period of Jahangir in water colour
on paper and collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• The elephants have been used for female members of groom side.

•On the right side, the painter has shown a well-equipped group of people of the bride family.

Ladies are also included in this group.

• In the middle Dara Shikoh mounted on a hale and hearty dark brown coloured caparisoned horse, in well-decorated royal
apparels, covering his face with the strands made of pearls. Behind him has been shown Shahjahan in royal apparels and manner.
Around his face has been shown halo with green colour.

• This painting is a unique example of Subai Mughal Style or Provincial Mughal Style.Deccan School of miniature

• Deccan art developed from 16th to 19th century at Bijapur, Ahamadnagar, Golconda and Hyderabad.

• Yusuf Ali Shah founded at Bijapur the Adil Shahi rule in 1489-90 A.D.

• Holy Quran or its Surahs and those of the legends like Anwar-i-Suhali and Yusuf Zulekha of the period of Quli Intab Shah.

• Main colours of Deccan art – Blue, Red and Pink.Chand Bibi Playing Polo

•Chand Bibi Playing Polo was painted by anonymous painter in 1750 A.D. in Golkonda style in water colour on paper and
collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• In this picture Chand Bibi and three other female players have been shown playing polo in royal dresses, mounted on horses.

•All the four horses have been shown hale and hearty and decorated.

• In the background, a huge fort and its rampart have been shown.

• In the middle of the margin in yellow part, has been done calligraphic work, with black colour, in Persian style
Hajrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro

•Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro painted by anonymous painter in 1750-70 A.D. inHyderabad style in water colour
on paper and collected in National Museum, New Delhi.

• In this picture, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a leading sufi of Delhi, has been shown in green clothes, tying a turban around his
head, sitting in a pose of deep thinking.

• In his front side, Amir Khusro, a contemporary famous musician, has been shown sitting on his knees, playing on a musical
instrument.

• The clear blue sky and a big tree has also been shown on which red- and yellow-coloured fruits and flowers have been shown.

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