A Yajna

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Details

Size:	20.5 x 26.5 inches (framed)
Medium:	Reverse Glass Painting
Origin:	Southern India
Publication:	Page 75, Reverse Glass Painting in India (2017) by Prof. Anna L. Dallapiccola

Description

This is a reverse glass painting from southern India. According to a description of the painting published on page 75 of the book ‘Reverse Glass Painting in India’ by Professor Anna L. Dallapiccola:
“A hall supported by pillars with a draped curtain hanging from its ceiling, provides the backdrop to the ritual depicted in the foreground. The absence of obvious clues makes it difficult to interpret the scene. It is probable, however, that the painting illustrates an episode drawn from the Mahabharata. Yudhishthira (on the right) flanked by Draupadi sits at the side of the fire pit and pours oblations into the flame. Bhima, recognisable by his imposing size, dark complexion and his club, stands behind the couple. In the foreground, to the left of Draupadi is a crowned seated figure, probably one of the twins, either Nakula or Sahadeva. Opposite Yudhishthira, facing the sacrificial flame, sits a sage, holding a container in his left hand and raising his right hand as if reciting prayers. Near him is a second, smaller ascetic in the same pose. Behind them stand two further personages: the green-complexioned Arjuna, recognisable by the bow and quiver slung on his shoulder and possibly, the second twin. Various ritual implements and offerings dot the foreground.”

Description

This is a reverse glass painting from southern India. According to a description of the painting published on page 75 of the book ‘Reverse Glass Painting in India’ by Professor Anna L. Dallapiccola:
“A hall supported by pillars with a draped curtain hanging from its ceiling, provides the backdrop to the ritual depicted in the foreground. The absence of obvious clues makes it difficult to interpret the scene. It is probable, however, that the painting illustrates an episode drawn from the Mahabharata. Yudhishthira (on the right) flanked by Draupadi sits at the side of the fire pit and pours oblations into the flame. Bhima, recognisable by his imposing size, dark complexion and his club, stands behind the couple. In the foreground, to the left of Draupadi is a crowned seated figure, probably one of the twins, either Nakula or Sahadeva. Opposite Yudhishthira, facing the sacrificial flame, sits a sage, holding a container in his left hand and raising his right hand as if reciting prayers. Near him is a second, smaller ascetic in the same pose. Behind them stand two further personages: the green-complexioned Arjuna, recognisable by the bow and quiver slung on his shoulder and possibly, the second twin. Various ritual implements and offerings dot the foreground.”

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ABOUT Reverse Glass Paintings

Reverse glass painting is a fascinating, yet comparatively unknown genre of Indian art. The origin of the reverse glass painting technique can be traced back to Italy, from where it spread across Europe in the 16th century. It was introduced into China by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and early 18th century. By the second half of the 18th century, the technique was brought to India by way of the China Trade, and there flourished a brisk market for Chinese reverse glass paintings on the west coast of India. With the expansion of the British empire, the paintings found takers amongst wealthy Indian aristocrats who sought to mimic the colonial officers. And it was not long before Indian artists learnt the technique and began producing reverse glass paintings reflecting Indian tradition.

In the late 18th and early 19th century, in southern India, art was rather decadent, with a high demand for religious paintings embellished with gems, pearls and cut glass. Reverse glass paintings came as a cheap alternative, soon growing in popularity not just amongst aristocrats, but reaching a far wider audience. In the small state of Thanjavur, this distinctive school of glass painting thrived for more than a hundred years. The technique spread across western and southern India and even to former provincial Mughal capitals of Oudh and Murshidabad, as well as Rajasthan and central India, to some extent.

The term reverse glass painting describes both, how the painting is executed, and how, once completed, it is viewed. A laborious technique, it required an artist to have a good memory of the whole composition because its components were sequentially covered while he completed the work. Artists first began with placing a clear sheet of glass on their master drawing, then drew the finer lines and details. Any foil, paper or sequins, if used, were added at this stage. Then, the larger areas of opaque colour (usually tempera) were applied, and ‘shading’ was used to achieve gradation of colour. The painting was finally mounted with the unpainted side foremost.

Scenes and characters from Indian mythology are recurrent in Indian reverse glass paintings, while secular themes such as portraits of kings, nobles, courtesans and musicians are also commonly depicted. The paintings are characterized by their bold style, rich colours and subjects portrayed in opulence.

Imported from Europe via China, a distinctive feature of the reverse glass technique in India was its eclectic style - a fascinating mixture of Indian and Western elements. This style reflected the aesthetics and aspirations of the time. The popularity of theatre, for instance, can be seen in the elaborate curtains that frame most paintings. Elements drawn from colonial architecture, interior decoration, and fashion also permeated the repertoire of the artists, evident in the way they portrayed deities and mythological incidents.

While reverse glass paintings flourished in India until the mid-19th century, eventually, lithographs, which were cheaper to produce and less fragile, replaced them forever.

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Details

Size:	20.5 x 26.5 inches (framed)
Medium:	Reverse Glass Painting
Origin:	Southern India
Publication:	Page 75, Reverse Glass Painting in India (2017) by Prof. Anna L. Dallapiccola

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