Majestic King of the Animal Kingdom

$60
Item Code: AB47
Specifications:
Water Color on Old Urdu Paper, Manual Calligraphy on both sides
Dimensions 6.0" x 4.3"
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade
In pre-Muslim India, the representation of animals is essentially in the context of narrative, where too, their depiction is symbolic, stereotyped and always formalized. The Mughal rulers' innate curiosity and interest in uncommon, strange and exotic animals encouraged their artist's to portray wildlife with realism.

Reproduced here with almost scientific accuracy is a lion depicted with its majesty, grace and symmetry of limbs. It is painted in earth tones and there is a wide variety of brush strokes. Small and quick brush strokes, coupled with subtle shading provide a realistic texture to the animal's body. There is little layering of and building up of pigment; the artist's touch is light and the effect is quiet and controlled. The animal is so precisely described that it lacks warmth and sympathy to an extent. Its ferocity, a typical characteristic of this wild animal is so well portrayed in the lines of the face, which reveal an extreme refinement of technique and sensibility. The hairy mane cups its stern and grim face but fails to provide a softness. The upturned tail suggests its inherent aggressive quality. The curves of its body and its linear movement provide muscle articulation in order to capture its natural form. They create a balance and rhythm which is further accentuated by a judicious use of tonal variation of pigments.

The sky limit and the ground limit is simply defined by flat, horizontal strokes of green in the foreground and blue at the upper edge. Calligraphy forms the border on two sides. In Islamic thought, calligraphy not only has primacy over painting but is also accorded sanctity.

This description by Renu Rana.

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