Exchange: Miniature Paintings Across Cultures

Part of: Visual Cultures of Islam (10 resources )

Visual Cultures of Islam

UMMA's vast collection is home to a variety of different types of objects which are apart of Islamic visual culture. In this collection, objects have been arranged into different resources by their materiality. Islamic art is quite difficult to define as the term can refer to art of any material from the period after the death of the prophet Muhammad to the present day. Additionally, Islam as a religion has spread across many countries and regions, therefore, placing Islamic art across the globe. It should also be noted that Islamic art does not only contain religious works but refers to regions where Islam was/is present. The works within UMMA's collection reflects this. Islamic art is such a rich visual culture to study because of the vast cultural exchange that has occurred across time and geography which has produced such diversity in the aesthetic and thematic qualities of their art.

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Created by

Halley Marie Burnside

Last Updated

May 23, 2018 2:39 p.m.

10 Items in this Learning Collection

Visual Cultures of Islam - Ceramics

This vase is in the baluster shape and has a fine turquoise blue crackled glaze. It has been broken in many pieces and restored. The composition of the body is in line with typical pottery techniques found in major centers of the Iranian Islamic world which utilized a frit body covered with glaze.

Resource with 108 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Manuscripts

Resource with 57 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Photography

Resource with 2 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Drawing and Painting

Resource with 2 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Mixed Media (household items and garments)

Resource with 63 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Textiles

Resource with 39 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Architectural Objects

Resource with 15 media

Visual Cultures of Islam- Metalwork

A bronze statue in the shape of a peacock, this piece has engraved decorations and is made in the Seljuk style of metalwork.

Resource with 41 media

Shahnama, The Persian Book of Kings

This painted miniature Shahnama page was made by the Shiraz and Timurid schools, ca. 1460 in Baghdad, Iraq. The painting is done in ink, opaque watercolor and gold leaf on paper. The scene depicts <em>Gaiumart the First Shah</em> from the Shahnama, the Persian book of kings.

This Persian miniature is attributed to the Shiraz and Timurid schools, ca. 1460. The painting is done in ink, opaque watercolor and gold leaf on paper. The scene, <em>Sikandar Goes on a Pilgrimage to the Kaaba</em>, is part of the Shahnama of Firdausi, the Persian book of kings.

Collection with 4 items

Miniature Paintings Across Cultures

Resource with 37 media

Miniature Paintings Across Cultures

A miniature painting refers to paintings that are not small (while they often times are a smaller scale), but to the type of pigment used that is derived from the Latin word, minium, or red lead. This type of painting is used to decorate illuminated manuscripts which are handmade books that are characterized by the inclusion of decorative elements like miniature paintings, decorated borders, and initials. Miniature paintings were mostly in production during the medieval period but have been traced as early as the third century CE. The style and aesthetic qualities of miniatures vary across geographical regions as well as time periods. By examining the different types of miniature paintings in UMMA's collection this becomes quite evident. The association with text can vary, sometimes the text is highlighted with smaller decorations framing the text or falling beneath the text. In other instances, the text is subordinate to large-scale images that can even take up an entire page. In these instances, the paintings are used to provide a visual interpretation of the text. The variation of stylistic qualities that are found across cultures provides a rich area of study that reveals insight into different moments of history at large.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Amber School
Ragamala series: Varadi ragini
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
12 in x 7 7/16 in (30.5 cm x 18.9 cm)
Gift of Mr. George P. Bickford for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection

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Three male entertainers in an open field, during daytime. One holds two clubs in his hands, another is upside-down on a pole, and the third holds a white disc-like object. Their clothes lie beside them. A short verse is painted above the depicted scene.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Desakh Ragini 16
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
13 1/4 in x 9 5/8 in (33.7 cm x 24.4 cm);18 5/16 in x 22 1/8 in (46.51 cm x 56.2 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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Artist Unknown, India, Uttar Pradesh, Chaurapancasika Style
In a wooded background with a small temple sheltering the lingam. Floral
foreground. From a Ragamala Series.
ink and opaque watercolor on birch bark
5 1/4 in x 8 9/16 in (13.3 cm x 21.8 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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A battle scene with a number of figures painted on different planes. Horses, elephants, swords, shields, guns, and an injured man populate the image. The scene is intense--a figure is shown as stepping on the body of the maimed fighter in the bottom-center of the image. The stances and gestures overall register movement and action.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Nata Ragini 3 (Battle scene)
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
10 7/8 in x 7 3/4 in (27.62 cm x 19.69 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);10 7/8 in x 7 3/4 in (27.62 cm x 19.69 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.

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Blue bodied Krishna is shown on the swing with Radha. A peacock stands above the swing frame, and two other peacocks are shown, peering out of the trees shown on the left and right. Five attendants surround the divine couple. One holds the string that, when drawn, will provide the swing its motion; three hold musical instruments, and the fifth a fly whisk. The setting is an open-air garden-like space, with lotuses in the water depicted below the human figures.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Hindola Raga (folio no. 13?)
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
10 7/8 in x 7 7/8 in (27.62 cm x 20 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);10 7/8 in x 7 7/8 in (27.62 cm x 20 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.

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An open-air battle scene showing two men engaged in combat. Their swords and shields are drawn, and intense action is depicted. A dead figure lies at the foot of the horse. A short verse is painted above the depicted scene.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Nata ragini 3 (Battle scene)
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
12 7/8 in x 9 3/4 in (32.75 cm x 24.75 cm);12 7/8 in x 9 3/4 in (32.75 cm x 24.75 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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A lady and her attendant are present in an open-air terrace. They seem to be exchanging lotus flowers. Trees and bushes are placed around them, and it is day time. A short verse is painted above the depicted scene.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala Series: Scene of a lady and her maid
ink and opaque watercolor on paper
13 1/8 in x 9 3/4 in (33.4 cm x 24.7 cm);13 1/8 in x 9 3/4 in (33.4 cm x 24.7 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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A lady and her lover are shown in the center-left of the scene, holding hands and gesturing. An attendant appears behind the lady, and the two turn to look at her. A male attendant, along with a horse, is shonw in the bottom register, separated from the precincts of the palace where the main scene takes place.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Ragini Minavati
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
10 7/8 in x 7 15/16 in (27.6 cm x 20.1 cm);10 7/8 in x 7 15/16 in (27.6 cm x 20.1 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.

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A female figure with her two attendants is shown in the bottom left of the image; a male figure appears in the window above, also accompanied by a female attendant who appears to be in conversation with him. The male holds a small flower in his hand--possibly a rose. The architectural space is divided skilfully, with distinct scenes or motifs taking place in each quadrant of the depicted scene.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Ragini Patamanjari
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
10 3/4 in x 7 15/16 in (27.3 cm x 20.2 cm);10 3/4 in x 7 15/16 in (27.3 cm x 20.2 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.

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A woman and her lover are seated on a large cushion below an orange and green hovering canopy. She feeds him a betel leaf lovingly, as he caresses her arm. An attendant stands close by with a fly whisk, another behind the man, holding a fan. A third attendant is shown crouched near the male figure too. Musicians take up the bottom-right corner of the image, where they are shown as seated on a decorated blue surface (carpet?), looking devotedly towards the couple.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Raga Malakosha
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
10 15/16 in x 7 15/16 in (27.7 cm x 20.2 cm);10 15/16 in x 7 15/16 in (27.7 cm x 20.2 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.

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A lady is seated in an open-air terrace, facing her attendant. They both seem to be in conversation and are holding tiny white flowers in their hands. An object that looks like a kalash or pot is placed between them, containing what could be white colored flowers. A pavilion in the background is set in front of the morning sky. A short verse is painted above the depicted scene.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala Series: Scene of a lady and her maid
ink and opaque watercolor on paper
13 in x 9 3/4 in (33 cm x 24.7 cm);13 in x 9 3/4 in (33 cm x 24.7 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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A central female figure is shown seated on chair, her hands outstreched in the form of a circle above her head. Two female attendants stand beside her, one on either side. The figures are on an open terrace, and a pavilion is represented behind them. It is daytime and the sky is cloudy. A short verse is painted above the depicted scene.

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Ragamala series: Purvi Ragini 24
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
13 1/8 in x 9 3/4 in (33.34 cm x 24.77 cm);18 1/8 in x 22 1/8 in (46.04 cm x 56.2 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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