Exploring Color in Mughal Paintings

Summary

In the mid-1600s, Rembrandt was inspired by the vibrant style of Mughal paintings, particularly those created during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. Mughal art, renowned for its rich colors and detailed craftsmanship, used opaque pigments derived from minerals and natural sources like lapis lazuli, vermilion, and even cow urine. These works, often produced in workshops, were burnished with agate to enhance their luminosity. Over time, Mughal painting spread beyond royal courts, influencing regional styles in India and inspiring European artists like Rembrandt, who incorporated elements of this captivating art form into his own creations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rembrandt drew inspiration from the vibrant style of imperial Mughal paintings, especially those created at the court of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• 😀 Mughal paintings flourished in the late 16th and 17th centuries, known for their rich colors and intricate details.
• 😀 Artists working for Mughal emperors used cotton fiber-based paper as their medium for painting.
• 😀 The pigments used by Mughal artists were bound with gum arabic and applied with brushes made from squirrel or kitten hair.
• 😀 A typical Mughal painting was often a collaborative effort, with one artist drawing the composition and another painting the details.
• 😀 After a painting was completed, its surface was burnished with agate, a gemstone, to enhance the color depth and luminosity.
• 😀 Common pigments used by Mughal artists included vermilion (mercury sulfide), ultramarine (lapis lazuli), and orpiment (arsenic-based yellow).
• 😀 Indian yellow, made from the urine of cows fed mango leaves, was another distinct pigment used in Mughal painting.
• 😀 Artists also used verdigris (copper treated with vinegar) for green, and purplish hues were made from lac beetle secretions.
• 😀 The luxurious metallic paints used in Mughal paintings were derived from gold and silver powders, enhancing their richness and visual appeal.
• 😀 Over time, Mughal painting spread beyond royal courts, inspiring not only regional Indian styles but also European artists, including Rembrandt.

Q & A

Who was influenced by Mughal paintings in the mid-1600s?

In the mid-1600s, the European artist Rembrandt was influenced by Mughal paintings, particularly those created during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.

What materials were used to create Mughal paintings?

Mughal paintings were created on cotton fiber-based paper and used opaque paints made from powdered pigments, water, and gum arabic, applied with brushes made from squirrel or kitten hair.

What was the role of agate gemstones in Mughal painting?

After a painting was completed, its surface was burnished with an agate gemstone. This process generated heat and pressure, enhancing the colors' depth and luminosity.

What is the significance of the pigment vermilion in Mughal painting?

Vermilion, or cinnabar, made from mercury sulfide, was a key pigment used in Mughal paintings, providing a rich orange-red color.

How was the bright blue color ultramarine obtained?

Ultramarine, a vivid blue pigment, was made from lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone mined in Afghanistan.

What are some unique aspects of the yellow pigments used in Mughal painting?

Mughal artists used two distinct yellow pigments: orpiment, made from arsenic, and Indian yellow, which was made from the urine of cows fed mango leaves.

What other pigments were used to create green in Mughal painting?

Green in Mughal painting was created by mixing ultramarine with orpiment or by using verdigris, a pigment made from copper treated with vinegar.

What pigments were used to create white and black in Mughal paintings?

White was made from lead or ground-up shells, while black was made from lampblack, a pigment derived from charcoal or soot.

How were gold and silver incorporated into Mughal paintings?

Mughal artists used gold and silver powders to create luxurious metallic paints in their artworks.

How did Mughal painting spread and evolve beyond imperial courts?

Mughal painting eventually spread beyond the imperial courts, inspiring regional styles across the Indian subcontinent and influencing European artists, including Rembrandt.