Miniature Painting

Description

About the Craft :: While historically the tradition of Indian miniature painting can be traced from the 9th-10th century, the art form largely flourished as a popular form of record keeping and story narration during the Mughal period. They were small-scale, highly detailed pictorial compositions, often providing a true record of the social and cultural life of the time. With initial influences from Persia, Indian miniature paintings developed their own style gradually under the Rajasthani and Pahadi kingdoms. Miniatures were profoundly influenced by Indian literature and were executed as illustrations to texts or as individual paintings creating detailed scenes from nature and often to narrate stories from epics and tradition through visual reality.
About the Artisan: Hemant Kumawat, a miniature painting artist from Rajasthan is the third generation practicing this skill. He brings a contemporary dimension to the traditional craft passed on to him by his forefathers. Made on handmade paper using a squirrel hair paint brush prepared by himself in an intricate 000 size, he brings the painting to life by using rotring pen and naturally obtained colours and inks. His works are mostly inspired by nature with a message to encourage sustainable living. His collection of miniatures largely include elaborate trees with intricate leaves, symbolising life and hope, with an intent to encourage a sense of responsibility towards our planet and a message to adopt eco-friendly habits.