asian antiquity

Opaque water based pigments and gold on paper In this painting, iridescent green beetle wing-case fragments were used to represent jewels.

 

Size 16cm x 12cm

Basholi, Circa 1730 - 40

 

Mounted under a mat, unopened
 

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Basholi Paintings

The paintings are marked by striking blazing colors, red borders, bold lines and rich symbols. The faces of the figures painted are characterized by the receding foreheads and large expressive eyes, shaped like lotus petals. The painting themselves are mostly painted in the primary colors of Red, Blue and Yellow.

 

 remarkable feature is the occasional use of fragments of beetle's wings to represent jewelery, and by the peculiar character of the architecture, with turrets, paneled doors, latticed windows and plinths ending in grotesque heads...Krsna and Radha or Mahadeva and Uma play the parts of hero and heroine.