Page 137 - Eye of the beholder

ScholarShiP of indian MiniaTureS
Indian miniatures represent a vast field of knowledge. Centuries of evolution, confusing overlaps of stylistic elements, interesting socio-religious narratives, different kingdoms and principalities, different elements of dress and architecture - for the enthusiast, this invites a lifetime of research.
Interest in the field is steadily growing, represented among others by the steady increase in auction prices. However, the vast majority of collectors still do not have the basic knowledge to navigate this subject. Especially difficult is mastering the ability to tell a fake from a genuine miniature, and the ability to confidently date a specimen and attribute it to a particular school. This is particularly relevant for the Ragmala paintings, where the imagery can be very confusing.
There have been many different publications on the subject in recent years. While all of these are vibrant and rich in imagery, they lack the formal approach that is necessary for a serious beginner. The Rietberg Museum in Zurich recently published a two volume publication spanning the entire timeline of Indian miniature paintings, which is by far the most well researched book of its kind. However, for the serious beginner, the gold standard is still the two books by Karl Khandalavala and Klaus Ebeling. Both of these books unfortunately have long been out of print, and have become collectible in their own right.
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