National Museum, New Delhi

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Painting

Painting Collection

The National Museum has nearly 17,000 paintings, representing all important styles of Indian miniatures. It is one of the largest collections of miniature paintings in the country. The Miniature painting tradition has been a key form of Indian painting apart from murals, cloth paintings and paintings on wood. Among miniature paintings, the main schools have been- the Deccani (from the South), Mughal (Spanning Central and North India), Rajasthani (West India) and Pahari (From the hills of the North).

Painting Collection

Portrait of Rama (Sri Rama Chandra) 63.1043 Unknown Basholi, Pahari, Jammu & Kashmir Early 18th century C.E. Water colour on paper 14.8 X 10.2 cm Lord Rama is shown seated on a thousand petalled lotus that rises from the water. Water here is symbolic of the Ocean of Consciousness. He is wearing a bejewelled crown with lotuses and carrying his bow in one hand and arrow in the other, denoting his status as a great archer. Oval face, thin and elongated figures, long arms and slender waist creates a perfect harmony and balance. His name is inscribed on top of the painting in takri script as Sri Ram Chandra.

Painting Collection

The Coronation procession of Rama 49.19/119 Unknown Mandi, Pahari 1800 C.E. Opaque water colour on paper. 33 x 23.7 This miniature painted by Sajnu, has an oval frame Painted in a palette of earthly hues, the royal portraits tended to exaggerate the normal proportions. The heads were consciously oversized. At the top is an inscription “Sri Raghunathjiro raj tilak ro” i.e. coronation of raghunath in devanagari script. Lord Rama in full splendour is seen mounted on a horse back, proceeding towards Ayodhya. Vermilion hued Hanuman leads the procession while musicians and singers accompany at the back.

Painting Collection

Radha and Krishna Style: Jaipur, Rajasthan, Date: circa 1750 C.E. Opaque watercolor on paper, Size :67 x 46 c.m. Accession no: 56.59/57 Arising from the Jaipur School is this intensely personal image of divine lovers- Krishna and Radha, standing on the moonlit terrace playing Holi during the month of Phalguna. Decked with ornaments, Krishna wears a peacock feather turban whereas Radha is adorned in elaborate traditional attire. Krishna stands embracing Radha, resembled the moon in the starry firmament. It confirms the brilliance of the painter in capturing the moment of love and affection.

Painting Collection

Portrait of Buraq, the celebrated animal over which the Holy Prophet Muhammad rode from Jerusalem to the Heavens. 48.8/23 23.62x15.74 cms Paper The animal has the head of a woman, the feet of an ox, the hind part of a horse, and the tail of a peacock. It has been provided with a brocaded cap ans a saddle and pearl ornament.

Painting Collection

Krishna dallying with cowherd maidens Based on poetry of Jaideva’s Gita-Govinda Style: Basohli, Pahari Date: 1730 C.E. Medium: opaque watercolor on paper Size: 20.5 x 31 c.m Accession no: 51.207/26 A spectacular painting of Krishna dallying with cowherd maidens is based on the poetry of Jaideva’s Gita – Govinda portrays a composition of numerous figures in bright colours against the red background. The composition is in horizontal format, Krishna wears a crown adorned with lotus buds. He is seen standing in the center accompanied by the maidens who are seen offering Betel leaves ‘Paan’ to Krishna.

Painting Collection

Marriage procession of Dara Shikoh 58.58/38 Awadh, Provincial Mughal, circa 1740-50 C.E. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 43 x 32 c.m. The painting enclosed within a foliated scroll has an alluring depiction of the marriage procession of Prince Dara Shikoh with Nadira Begum in 1633 CE. Shikoh is depicted in the center with a sehra covering his face and a turban draped in strands of pearls. Just behind Dara Shikoh, is Shahjahan with a green nimbus with golden rays behind his head. On the right, is the bride's side welcoming the marriage procession with the magnificent fireworks.

Painting Collection

Saraswati Pata 63.1590 Jain style, Western India c. 1475-1500 C.E. Natural pigments on cloth, 54.8 x 44.5 c.m. The Jain cloth patas can be divided into two categories-tantric and non-tantric. Among the tantric works are mantra diagrams. The non-tantric works are chitra patas, with religious content but are not concerned with tantric rites. The paintings seen here enshrines Goddess Saraswati with her ‘vahana’(vehicle), the goose, the centre most block or the shrine. The other eight compartments divided into squares have attendants, jain monks, musicians and dancers.

Painting Collection

Painted wooden book cover 63.1169 Basholi, Pahari, Jammu & Kashmir 1800 C.E. Natural color on wood 12.4 X 31.5 cm This Nineteenth century painted wooden cover (patli) was used to bind the folios of the manuscript. It represents the Hindu pantheons in three different segments divided by horseshoes shaped arches. On the left is Arjuna paying homage to lord Krishna with folded hands. In the center, is the figure of red bodied Ganesha, seated on the lotus throne, holding his attributes and on the right is Shiva with his consort Parvati along with Nandi resting on mount Kailash.

Painting Collection

The Holy Family 76.628 Opaque watercolor and gold on paper UnknownStyle Mankot- Basohli, Pahari c. 1750 C.E. 26.5 X17.5 c.m The holy family of Lord Shiva is seen seated on an open petelled lotus placed over an octagonal golden throne against the blue background with a red border. Parvati exquisitely dressed in red and bejwelled is shown seated embracing Karttikeya on her lap. Whereas, on the other side is Lord Shiva who is depicted white bodied, four armed: one in abhya mudra and the other holds Ganesha, adorned with five peaked crown surmounted by three lotuses, typical feature of Basholi style.

Painting Collection

The Cosmic Form of Krishna- Vasudeva 88.6 Opaque water color on paper pasted on cloth, Mysore style, Karnataka, Late 19th century C.E. 94 x 84 cm with frame The painting depicts the cosmic form of Lord Vishnu as Vasudeva represented with all his attributes- Chakra (discus), Gada (mace), Shank (Conch shell) and Kamal (Lotus) in his multiple arms. Lord Vasudeva is clad is a highly detailed dhoti (lower body garment) with several minute details and is shown heavily bejewelled.

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Painting

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Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection

Painting Collection