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Indian Miniature Painting

  • Image of "Krishna Visiting Radha, Malwa, India, Mid-17th century (on exhibit through February 22, 2009)"

    Krishna Visiting Radha, Malwa, India, Mid-17th century (on exhibit through February 22, 2009)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 3
    January 14, 2009 (Wed) - April 5, 2009 (Sun)

    The history of Indian painting can be traced back to more than 2000 years ago, however the earliest examples of miniature painting are illustrations for Jainist and Buddhist scripture from the 11th century, painted on hemp palm leaves.

    The works in the museum's collection were mostly produced during the Mughal dynasty (16th - 19th centuries). They include illustrations of stories from Mahabharata, Ramayana and other ancient Indian mythology, as well as Hindu deities such as Shiva and Vishnu, portraits of kings, historical stories, love affairs, animals, and visual interpretations of music known as raga mala, demonstrating the wide variety of subjects in Indian painting.

    Mughal miniature paintings can be divided into two major groups: Mughal paintings, which developed in Islamic culture, and Rajput paintings, which belong to Hindu culture. They can also be classified by provenance into five different groups: Mughal, Provincial Mughal, Deccan, Rajasthan and Pahari. Covering a wide variety of subjects and styles, the works on display offer a glimpse of the wealthy life of the aristocrats and religious beliefs at the time.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Muslim Women Visit a Mullah, Provincial Mughal, India, Second half of 17th - early 18th century (on exhibit through February 22, 2009)
Matsya Avatar: Vishnu Incarnated as Monster Fish, Bikaner, India, First half of 18th century (on exhibit through February 22, 2009)
Portrait of Maharaja Gaj Singh of Bikaner, Bikaner, India, Mid-18th century (on exhibit through February 22, 2009)
Krishna with Message from Radha, Malwa, India, Mid-17th century (on exhibit from February 24, 2009)
Portrait of Jahangir, Bikaner, India, Second half of 18th century (on exhibit from February 24, 2009)
Bhagvata Purana: Herders Move to Vrindavana, Kangra, India, 19th century (on exhibit from February 24, 2009)
 Related Events

Lecture "Delicate and Beautiful World of Indian Miniature Paintings"
Saturday, January 31, 2009, 13:30 - 15:00
Auditorium, Heiseikan
Speaker: Koezuka Takashi (Professor, Osaka University of Human Sciences) (In Japanese)
Exhibitions