Indian paining was to make a comeback of astonishing renewed vigor, far from the seat of imperial power. The banished artists sought patronage at the courts of the Mughal vassals, the Maharajas and Nawabs. They founded new schools and evolved new styles rich with native charms. Their miniatures sparkled with local color, folklore, legend, flora and fauna and the loveliness of the women of the region.
There were dozens of these thriving local schools. The achievements of those at Bundi and Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Basholi, Guler and Kangra in the foothills of the Himalayas, and Bijapur in the Deccan - to name only a few - surpass those of the Mughal school. Some of these paintings are among the most beautiful in the world.
With the arrival of the British, Indian painting was to take a new turn. A number of European artists toured India on painting expeditions. The most notable of these were the Daniells and they influenced the local artist. What emerged now was a peculiar Indo-European genre of painting known as the company style (after the EAst India Compay). It was only with the consciousness of political independence in the 20th century that Indian art really came alive again.
There were dozens of these thriving local schools. The achievements of those at Bundi and Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Basholi, Guler and Kangra in the foothills of the Himalayas, and Bijapur in the Deccan - to name only a few - surpass those of the Mughal school. Some of these paintings are among the most beautiful in the world.
With the arrival of the British, Indian painting was to take a new turn. A number of European artists toured India on painting expeditions. The most notable of these were the Daniells and they influenced the local artist. What emerged now was a peculiar Indo-European genre of painting known as the company style (after the EAst India Compay). It was only with the consciousness of political independence in the 20th century that Indian art really came alive again.
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