Indian Miniatures

Welcome to the site dedicated to the enjoyment of the Indian (Asian- not to be confused with Native American) art form of miniature paintings. Our mission is to show you, the viewer, what we think we have, to tell you it's provenance, and invite your comments.

Indian Miniatures cover a range of sophistication from the crude yet powerful ethnic works done by relative unknowns to intricate court paintings produced for royal patronage by known painters or court atliers. No matter the origin, whether it be a country bumpkin trying to capture a fleeting inspiration, or a dedicated court painter whose livelihood, and sometimes his life, may depend upon his skill, the common thread through all these works of art is that they try to tell a story, or record a moment in time.

Though it is not the purpose of this site to enter upon a scholastic discourse of this art form and to look upon them from the heart, to try and grasp the emotions, feelings they may stir within us, one cannot but mention some of the pioneers of their study. The works of both Coorswamy and Khandalawala come immediately to mind and must form the basis for any study of these paintings.

So let us hence embark upon this interlude with our sincere hope that you will find this both enjoyable and enlightening.