Miniature Paintings from South Asia

Two contrasting image types dominate the long history of painting on the Indian subcontinent: the large-scale mural, which decorated the walls of temples and royal palaces, and the miniature that illustrated the stories of both sacred and secular manuscripts. Although each format played a fundamental role in the development
of the visual culture of South Asia, it is this latter group of highly portable manuscript paintings that first brought the region’s artistic tradition to world attention. 

The written word, accompanied by illustrations, is central to the various religions found in South Asia, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jain, and Islam. A rich secular literary tradition—including tales of rulers, romances, and dramas—also contributed to the large output of illustrated texts. Dealers who handled these illustrated manuscripts often would unbind the books and sell the miniatures individually. Brightly colored and full of detail, Indian miniatures became highly sought artworks.