Nahta Bandhu Abhinandan Granth

Author(s): Dashrath Sharma
Publisher: Agarchand Nahta Abhinandan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 560

appropriate commentary on the social life in Mewar. The artists adopted very simple way of depicting their subjects in the best aesthetic manner. They lacked high technical excellence if one compares it with the contemporary Mughal draughtsmanship, perspective and fine finish. They applied on the canvas glowing colours which made a painting very charming and attractive. The paintings do not appeal to the court alone but to people in general because the subjects are well known to the people and they are wells-acquainted with and love them.
The period between 1652 to 1698 is a bit confusing a much dated material. is not available, even then from the style and subjects some works could be placed. in that period, for example the Gita Govinda paintings in my collection, some paintings in the Bharat Kala Bhawan collection and the Bhagavata Purana in Shri Gopi Krishna Kanodia collection
In the beginning of the 18th century paintings became very popular but quality suffers at the expense of quantity. Not only the rulers of Mewar patronised art but also the Thikanadars, business communities, religious leaders and others. Now more attention was paid to the social and court life of Mewar. Amarsingh period artists executed paintings in a different manner, using less colour and more in Shah-Kalam. Even his dog, monkeys and other animals were finely painted on big size canvases.
Maharana Sangramsingh II (plate 9) was very found of getting his portraits executed. The artists used large size canvases for portraits. They applied thick colours to depict different types of jewelleries and even used beatel wings to depict emeralds. The events connected with his life were also painted in large numbers, he is shown going out in procession, attending maffils and shooting wild animals. Many manuscripts too were illustrated and Written during his reign.
The art continued to be patronised during Jagat Singh II period and many dated material is available in Saraswati Bhandar There was less patronage between 1762 to 1760 A.D. When Arsi came to the throne again the art of painting received patronage. He was a ruler fond of hunting (plate 18). The artists depicted grass and bushes not with the help of a brush but with a cloth pad which was filled with cotton and dipped in green colour for giving patches on the paintings (plates 11 and 12). The effect is quite fascinating and natural. The same style was continuing during Hamir's time who was not a great patron of art).
Bhim Singh (1778-1828) was again a great patron of art and the atelier was probably headed by some competent artist who painted many paintings showing the Maharana returning successfully after hunts. The works are in big size and nice in colour scheme, composition and technique. Other artists of his court painted the life of Mewaris in general and have shown the Rasa in his harem with his queen (plates 13, 14, 15),
We find a lot of porrtraits of Maharana Jawan Singh (1828-1834) period
इतिहास और पुरातत्त्व ७१