Gemstone Paintings, Narrating The Lustrous Passage Of Rajasthans Art

By Author: Rohan Kumar
Total Articles: 22
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In the ancient forts and palaces, in the art shops and galleries, in the art exhibitions, art books, and art blogs with the subject of Indian art, you will definitely find the mention of gemstone paintings. One of the several types of renowned Rajasthani handicrafts, the ground gemstone painting is an epitome that beautifully describes the cultural mores of Rajasthan. The art of Gemstone painting was developed in Rajasthan about two hundred years ago. More specifically, the development of these paintings took place in Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan. Its origination in the timeline can be marked during the prevalence of glass painting technique, which was introduced in India in the 18th century due to the patronage given to the then Chinese artists. The use of semi-precious stones in these paintings gives them richness and luster.

Characteristics of Gemstone Paintings

• The use of Rajasthani themes is done in those paintings. The subjects generally include the princesses adorned with jewelry, playing musical instruments, surrounded with forests and animals like deer, parrot, or peacock, sitting ...
... in a courtyard, or playing with friends.
• The use of precious and semi-precious stones, such as agate, amethyst, blood-stone, citrine, carnelian, crystal, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis-lazuli, malachite, peridot, tiger, tourmaline, etc. is done.
• The maximum focus is laid over the depiction of jewelry, landscapes, clothing, flowers, greenery, etc.
• The religious compositions also make important subjects for these paintings, which generally depict different gods and goddesses, like Radha-Krishna, Ganpati, Shiva, etc. and saints like Sai Baba, Guru Nanak, Mahaveer, etc. Often the tones set for the religious compositions are of rich orange, yellow, with a glowing halo, which symbolizes an aura.

The stones, with which these paintings are made, are carefully selected, grounded and finally pasted by accomplished and experienced craftsmen on the back side of marble, acrylic, and glass sheet. Rajasthan is the land of colors and life, which is imbued with its history, brimmed with music, dance, architecture and art. Such visage of this land has inspired numerous craftsmen, and has been the object of their imagination. Aided by the fact that this state is a natural repository of precious and semi-precious stones, the Gemstone paintings beautifully define the Indian craft and are some of the famous forms of paintings from Rajasthan.

Use of water colors is done to give the outline to a gemstone painting, which gives it a sharp look. The unique combination of vivid imaginations and dexterity of the artists who have the skills of this art inherited in them make these paintings some of the most beautiful paintings. With no use of machine-work, the gemstone paintings are completely hand-made. The vibrancy of the colors and the beautiful intricateness of the images that do not lose their luster for years, add to the precision and exquisiteness of these paintings. The crushed gemstones being used in these paintings render a unique color scheme and an inveterate splendor.

These paintings have been acclaimed all around the world and there are several Indian handicraft exporters who are playing a major role in taking this art-form to even the distant corners of the world. These paintings are used for different purposes, like as decorative archetypes, personal gifts, as well as gifts for corporate.

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Rohan Kumar is a freelance writer. His articles on topic like indian craft and gift for corporate info are published on various online platforms.