Miniature Painting: Manuscript Illumination

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Questions and Answers

Which primary technique characterized the Rekha karma stage in the Tradition of Manuscript Illumination during the Pala Sena period?

Extracting colors from organic sources like Lapis Lazuli.
Creating a final sketch using red ochre on a thin coat of white primer. (correct)
Filling the outlines with various colors to define the figures.
Applying dark tones to add volume to the figures.

How did the themes in Western Indian manuscript illumination notably differ from those in the Pala manuscripts?

Western Indian manuscripts exclusively emphasized secular, realistic portrayals of courtly life.
Western Indian manuscripts primarily depicted cosmic Buddhas and Boddhisattvas.
Pala manuscripts focused on tales from the Jatakas and Dharanisamgraha.
Pala manuscripts often showcased biographies of Tirthankaras and Jain narratives. (correct)

In Mughal painting, what role did the 'Tarh' stage serve within the collaborative workspace known as Karkhana?

It involved trainee artists filling colors under supervision.
It represented European influences that shaped the workshop's style.
It signified the revealing of faces in portraiture with precise detailing.
It defined the initial outline phase where the composition was sketched out. (correct)

How did artists like Miskin bring about European influences within the Mughal painting style?

Adopting mass foliage derived from Flemish models to add voluminous look to the works. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which artistic element distinguishes mature Mughal style during the period between 1580 to 1590?

Blending of Persian, European, and Indian artistic elements (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which artistic technique, while not fully mastered, was gradually incorporated by Mughal artists, influencing their depiction of spatial depth?

Linear perspective with aerial observation for creating depth in landscapes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Basohli style of Pahari painting from other styles?

Its bold and archaic aesthetic combined with intense emotional expression (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the fall of Delhi in 1739 influence the development of Pahari painting?

It caused artists to flee to the hills, further developing the Pahari style in various smaller states. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Guler style of painting from the other styles?

The integration of a contemporary, late Mughal aesthetic into its idiom. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Kangra style of painting from Guler style?

The rendering of landscapes with intricate and naturalistic details (A) Signup and view all the answers

What primary technique defines the Company Painting or Kampani Qalam style?

Use of watercolors and linear perspective (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which socio-political factor directly led to the advent of Company Painting or Kampani Qalam?

The decline of Mughal power, forcing artists to seek patronage in Calcutta and other provincial centers. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective that defines Company Painting or Kampani Qalam?

To document exoticism, daily life, and local culture from an Orientalist viewpoint (D) Signup and view all the answers

What material innovation significantly influenced the surface preparation technique in Kalighat Painting?

The treatment of mill paper with lime (D) Signup and view all the answers

What stylistic shift characterized the later stage of Kalighat Painting beyond mythological depiction?

Social satire (D) Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature distinguishes Battala Woodcut Prints from other forms of Indian art?

Borrowing popular imagery from Kalighat pats. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor that led to the decline of Kalighat Prints?

Rapid urbanization and cultural exchange. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Bengal School of Art from earlier Indian art movements?

Its revival of Indian nationalist themes drawn from Ajanta, Bagh, and Japanese wash techniques. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What core technique characterized the Bengal School's approach to painting?

Wash technique. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Abanindranath Tagore incorporate Japanese artistic principles into his work?

Applying the wash technique learned from Japanese disciples. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What element in Abanindranath Tagore's 'Passing of Shah Jahan' stands in stark contrast to the frail and dying figure?

The intricate and material image of the Agra Fort. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What made the Modern Indian artist Jamini Roy transition away from European-style painting techniques?

An increasing interest in rural Bengal (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Gaganendranath Tagore introduce cubism into his works?

By integrating cubist principles after his paintings were placed in a Paris exhibition. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of Gaganendranath Tagore's work?

His adaptation of Japanese techniques, like Sumi-e. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Progressive Artists’ Group of Calcutta depart from the Bengal School's artistic principles?

By rejecting the Bengal School's emphasis on lyricism and romanticism. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What notable series is Somenath Hore known for?

Tebhaga Movement (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which influence primarily shaped Raja Ravi Varma's artistic technique and style?

European academic art (C) Signup and view all the answers

What influence shaped the style of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group?

A synthesis of Indian and European influences (B) Signup and view all the answers

Whose paintings are known for a delicate and poetic composition, with subdued hues?

Kshitindranath Majumdar (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Pahari paintings, what does the term 'Nayika Bheda' signify?

Categorizing heroines based on their emotional states and relationships. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the evolution of themes in Kalighat paintings from their initial to later stages?

A shift from religious imagery to social satire (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary region associated with Company Painting (Kampani Qalam)?

Srinagar (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is most characteristic of Rajput painting?

Bold and vibrant colors (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Karkhana play in the creation of Mughal paintings?

It was a collaborative workspace with a division of labor. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Pahari painting is considered most vital, marking India's last significant contribution to Hindu art before Western civilization began influencing practices?

The religious themes focusing on Hindu gods and beliefs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In Mughal painting, which artistic element often acted as a decorative border that framed the central scene, adding layers of aesthetic richness?

The Hashiya (B) Signup and view all the answers

What common element is shared between Company paintings and photography that ultimately led to painting diminishing?

The focus on documentation (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Pala Sena Miniature Painting

Miniature paintings from Eastern India during the Pala Sena period in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Tadapatras

Rectangular talipot palm leaves used for manuscripts, strung together with cord.

Pala Miniature Technique

A technique involving final sketch with red ochre, color filling, and adding volume with darker tones.

Pala Painting Colors

Dominant colors include white from burnt conch, yellow from orpiment, blue from Lapis Lazuli, and red from ochre.