DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22422#0337
Letter XX.
EAST INDIA HOUSE.
325
The Indian painter appears, however, to much greater advan-
tage in his miniatures, of which a large collection is here pre-
served, containing some of great excellence. If there be a depart-
ment of Indian art in which something of that delicate and poetic
feeling is reflected which attracts every cultivated mind in their
poetry—for instance, in the poem of Sacontala—it is in the
department of miniatures. There we find those slender and
graceful female forms, delicately and individually rendered. Nor
are the power and beauty of the male figure less well given.
The motives are true, animated, and various; the proportions
generally slender ; the drawing frequently correct; the separate
portions are not without some modelling ; the colours lively, and
in some cases harmoniously arranged; and finally, the execution
is of admirable finish. In the representation of native animals
■—for instance, of elephants—a singularly true and close obser-
vation of nature in every respect is evident. The weak point
of Indian art is the absence of light and shade, and of linear
and aerial perspective. In the elegant ornamentation that taste
prevails which we meet with in Arabo-Indian architecture.
Admirable specimens of Persian miniatures are also here. An
historical work displays numerous representations of battle-scenes,
of the most surprising truth, and of great freedom of momentary
action. The national physiognomy is very accurately rendered,
and the execution is careful. The Arabian taste has been most
delicately applied in the ornaments of the borders. Upon the
whole they may be placed on the same level of development with
the Indian miniatures.
Finally, some very choice specimens of Chinese miniatures are
to be seen here. In comparison with the idealising tendency of
the Indians, the Chinese may be called the realistic painters of
the East. In the rendering, however, of separate appearances in
nature, they display uncommon delicacy, and also great feeling for
the refinement of Chinese female beauty. Their colours are also
of the most marvellous freshness ; the technical process of great
precision. The gaudiness of the arrangement, and the total want
of all modelling, however, give these miniatures the appearance of
maps, the outlines of which are filled with local colour, while
the absence of aerial perspective entirely excludes all idea of
pictorial effect.
EAST INDIA HOUSE.
325
The Indian painter appears, however, to much greater advan-
tage in his miniatures, of which a large collection is here pre-
served, containing some of great excellence. If there be a depart-
ment of Indian art in which something of that delicate and poetic
feeling is reflected which attracts every cultivated mind in their
poetry—for instance, in the poem of Sacontala—it is in the
department of miniatures. There we find those slender and
graceful female forms, delicately and individually rendered. Nor
are the power and beauty of the male figure less well given.
The motives are true, animated, and various; the proportions
generally slender ; the drawing frequently correct; the separate
portions are not without some modelling ; the colours lively, and
in some cases harmoniously arranged; and finally, the execution
is of admirable finish. In the representation of native animals
■—for instance, of elephants—a singularly true and close obser-
vation of nature in every respect is evident. The weak point
of Indian art is the absence of light and shade, and of linear
and aerial perspective. In the elegant ornamentation that taste
prevails which we meet with in Arabo-Indian architecture.
Admirable specimens of Persian miniatures are also here. An
historical work displays numerous representations of battle-scenes,
of the most surprising truth, and of great freedom of momentary
action. The national physiognomy is very accurately rendered,
and the execution is careful. The Arabian taste has been most
delicately applied in the ornaments of the borders. Upon the
whole they may be placed on the same level of development with
the Indian miniatures.
Finally, some very choice specimens of Chinese miniatures are
to be seen here. In comparison with the idealising tendency of
the Indians, the Chinese may be called the realistic painters of
the East. In the rendering, however, of separate appearances in
nature, they display uncommon delicacy, and also great feeling for
the refinement of Chinese female beauty. Their colours are also
of the most marvellous freshness ; the technical process of great
precision. The gaudiness of the arrangement, and the total want
of all modelling, however, give these miniatures the appearance of
maps, the outlines of which are filled with local colour, while
the absence of aerial perspective entirely excludes all idea of
pictorial effect.