Page 177 - Eye of the beholder

To the the right of of Siva is a a a a a a a galaxy of of divinities beginning with with the the multi multi headed Brahma with with multi multi crowns and and Vishnu in in blue holding a a a a a a morchal and and between them is is representation of a a a a a a young paunchy sage who also holds a a a a a a a a a morchal in in his hand Behind Vishnu is is is the son of Siva Ganesha with a a a a a a a a a crown on his his head the the trunk has the the chauri while his his hand holds a a a a a a a a a tray of modakas or or laddus It is is a a a a a a a a very charming delineation where he he is is painted in in in in sprightly orange and large round eyes The crown is is western in in in design as worn by emperors in in in Europe and is is made in in in gold and and studded with precious stones of emeralds and and rubies In addition there are pearl strands at the the the side of his head Behind these divine personalities are the the the sages characterized by their their long hair tied in in a a a a a a a a knot and and and resting on on the the the nape of their their neck and and and with a a a a a a a a beard and and and moustache Age is shown by by the the colour of the the hair as as well as as by by its length The composition has a a a a a a structured organization with Siva in focus though placed off centered with the the placement of men men men and women on either side The drawing in in in this miniature is is not very firm but loosely handled as as as can be detected in in the the the foliage as as as well as as as in in the the the representation of the the the architectural elements as the the parapet and the the geometric patterning within it it it Lines have lost their elegance and and delicacy and and replaced with heavy heavy bounded outlines This creates a a a a a a a a a heavy heavy visual look and adds to the the sturdy earthy overall appearance Colours remain the the mainstay of this work as as they have spring like freshness and judicious placement as as the the creamy rocks with pink outlines with the the green of the the foliage The painting has has multitude of figures that has has been sensibly managed by the artist without overcrowding or or giving a a a a visual impression of heaviness compositionally Moreover the colours are pleasant as as as well as as as the setting which is a a a a a a a a a blend of architecture and nature The contiguous kingdoms of Jodhpur Jaipur and Mewar had quite similar styles with itinerant artists moving from one court to another and as they did that also disseminated their cultural influences enriching the the the works with a a multitude of styles they had been exposed to in in in their artistic journey 171