Manuscript Painting Tradition and Western Indian Art

A page or leaf of a painting within a manuscript.

Written details on a painting, often on the upper portion or reverse.

Multiple paintings on a similar theme or text stored together as a bundle.

Page providing details like artist, patron, date, and place of creation.

Person who commissioned or sponsored the artwork.

Individual who created the painting.

Paintings organized as part of manuscript collections (like Ramayana).

Paintings easily damaged by mishandling or environmental factors.

Trishala had fourteen dreams, which were interpreted by an astrologer.

Important Jain texts include Kalpasutra and others like Kalakacharyakatha and Sangrahini Sutra.

A Jain text about Acharya Kalaka rescuing his sister from a king.

Jain text containing Mahavir's teachings on monk conduct.

A Jain cosmological text describing the universe.

Jain texts were often illustrated (painted) with various images.

Trishala's dreams predicted the son would be either king or a saintly teacher.

An important Jain text, possibly about rituals and traditions.

A school of painting in Western India, known for its depictions of Jain themes and manuscripts, supported by wealthy Jain merchants.

The 24 enlightened beings in Jainism, whose lives are depicted in the Kalpasutra.

Conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, first sermon, and salvation. These events are prominent subjects of Kalpasutra paintings

Wealthy merchants, especially from the Jain community, supported the arts by commissioning and donating paintings, manuscripts to Jain temples.

Donation of books (including illustrated paintings) practiced by Jains

Repositories or libraries in Jain monasteries.

Palm leaves were treated before painting, and the writing was etched onto them using a sharp tool.

Jain paintings developed a schematic and simplified style, often dividing the space into sections to show different events. They used bright colors and focused on textile patterns. Thin lines were used, and faces were often depicted with an extra eye for dimension.

Jain paintings often emphasized textile patterns, depicting them with detail and intricacy.

Jain paintings were characterized by thin, wiry lines, creating a sense of movement and detail.

Jain artists attempted to show three-dimensionality in faces by adding an extra eye.

Jain paintings depict architectural elements, such as domes and pointed arches, reflecting the presence of Sultanate rule in Gujarat and other regions.

The small size of palm leaves restricted the space for paintings, leading to the development of compact and detailed representations.

A period from 1350 to 1450, recognized as the peak of creative energy in Jain painting art.

This era saw a transition from strict iconic depictions to paintings incorporating landscapes, dancers, and musicians in the margins.

These paintings were richly decorated with gold and lapis lazuli, reflecting the wealth and social standing of their patrons.

Beyond canonical texts, Jain paintings also depicted Tirthipatas, Mandalas, and even non-religious narratives.

Alongside wealthy patrons, feudal lords and commoners also commissioned paintings during the late 15th and 16th centuries, which included secular themes.

Landscapes in Jain paintings were often suggestive rather than detailed, focusing on the overall ambiance of their setting.

Textile canopies, furniture, costumes, and objects reflected the local culture and indigenous features in Jain paintings.

Figures in dance poses, musicians, and landscapes were painted around the main story in the margins of a folio.

A 16th-century cookbook from Mandu, India, containing recipes, hunting techniques, medicinal and cosmetic preparations.

Famous Buddhist monasteries in ancient India that served as centers of learning and artistic production.

A branch of Buddhism focused on esoteric practices and often represented by deities and symbolic imagery.

The spread of Pala-style artwork to various regions like Nepal, Tibet, Burma, and Java, facilitated by monks and pilgrims.

A key Buddhist text, illustrated in the Pala style, depicting Lokeshvar and showcasing the mastery of Pala art.

Paintings that reflect the rise of Sufi stories with underlying mystical themes.

Handwritten books, often beautifully illustrated, that were key to preserving knowledge and art in ancient times.