Miniature Paintings

What are miniature paintings?

Miniature paintings are delicate handmade paintings, much smaller in size than a normal painting.  It is also called limning, small, finely wrought portrait executed on vellum, prepared card, copper, or ivory. It is an ancient art in India and there were many schools for the same, including those of the Rajputs, Deccans and the Mughals. They are also done on wooden tables, ivory panels, paper, marble, and leather, on walls and even on cloth.

So, “What kind of painting is considered as miniature painting?”

If paintings to be considered as miniature paintings then it must covers less than 25 square inches or 100 square cm; Subjects are depicted in 1/6 actual size. 

Notable examples are Tutinama and Hamzanama.

Tutinama, literal meaning "Tales of a Parrot", is a 14th-century Persian series of 52 stories.

Hamzanama, narrates the legendary exploits of Amir Hamza.

Features of Miniature Paintings:

1. The colours of this style of painting are handmade and made from vegetables, minerals, indigo, conch shells, precious stones, pure gold and silver.

2. Paintings of this style associated with the Ragas i.e. the melodies of Indian classical music.

3. The paintings of this style give an insight into the life of the royals and the common man, the beauty of their womenfolk and the inspirations and devotions of the artists themselves.