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{{Short description|Rajasthani style of Indian painting}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2026}}

[[File:Maharaja Ram singh celebrating Diwali with a companion.jpg|thumb|Maharaja Ram singh celebrating Diwali with a companion|333x333px]]'''Marwar painting''' is a traditional form of [[Indian painting]] that originated in the city of [[Jodhpur]] in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]]. Even though it emerged under the larger umbrella of [[Rajput painting]], Marwar School created an original style as it was partly influenced by [[Mughal painting|Mughal art]] and showcased many original elements. Marwar school of painting manifested distinct style, content, and techniques of its own that incorporated local knowledge.

[[Marwar]] state is located on the West of [[Aravalli Range|Aravali]] Mountains. Marwar is a term that has emerged from the word ''marupradesh'' or ''land of the dead''. It signifies the harsh conditions of [[Thar Desert|Thar desert]]. The desert land and the ensuing difficult life is interspersed with cultural art forms to add joy to harsh lives. Marwar has a distinct cultural idiom, and thus had developed a distinct school of painting. The painting tradition is generally traced back to the 17th century, when the rulers of [[Jodhpur]], the [[Rathore dynasty|Rathores]], patronized the art form. It was also influenced by the traditions already existing in the region.

== History ==
It is said that the Rathore rulers patronized artists from many parts of India, and their interaction with local artists and art forms led to the development of unique style, which came to be known as Marwar painting.

=== Early influences ===
The earliest influence on Marwar style can be traced to the murals of [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]], of which, the door of [[Mandor]] is the finest example. According to Tarachand, this style is related to ''Sringdhar'' which traces the origin of Marwar style to the confluence of local art styles and [[Ajanta Caves#Paintings|Ajanta frescoes]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Taranath |title=On Buddhist Art |journal=Marg |volume=IV |issue=1 |pages=63}}</ref> Marwar School was initially influenced by Mewar School also but through illustrations of Jain manuscripts, Marwar came to be acknowledged as a separate school (1532{{Dash}}68). As early as 1519, manuscripts of ''Uttradhayayana Sutra'' was painted in this style, which is now in the collection of [[Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery|Baroda Museum]]. It also shows a relationship with [[Gujarat]] as the titles of the paintings are given in [[Gujarati language]] and script.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Museum Ctalogue |url=https://primo.getty.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=GRI&docid=GETTY_ALMA21123330840001551&context=L |journal=Bulletin of Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery |volume=V |pages=43}}</ref>

=== Royal patronage and Mughal influence ===
Because of the Mughal influence, the Marwar miniatures were inspired by their art. We can see the influence in the [[Bhagavata Purana|Bhagawat]] of 1610 in which [[Arjuna]]'s and [[Krishna]]'s costumes are just like Mughals, but the facial features envision a [[Rajput]] noble. The ''[[Gopi|Gopis]]'' or female companions of Krishna are dressed akin to women of Marwar but the elaborate ornaments adorning them betray [[Mughal dynasty|Mughal]] imperial grandeur.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chitralekha |title=Drawings of Rajasthan |publisher=Aryan Books International |year=1993 |location=Delhi |pages=44}}</ref>

[[Jaswant Singh of Marwar|Maharaja Jaswant Singh]] (1626{{Dash}}1678) ushered in great activity in the field of painting. Court life, royal portraits, and [[Krishna]] related themes were most popular during his time. The history of royal patronage is reflected in the choice of subjects of the paintings. During the era of [[Aurangzeb]] and [[Ajit Singh of Marwar|Ajit Singh]], a lot of paintings influenced by Mughal subjects were painted. The mythological and lyrical paintings were made at the time of [[Vijay Singh of Marwar|Vijay Singh]] and [[Man Singh of Marwar|Man Singh]], in which [[Panchatantra]] Suknasika character and [[Nath]] character were frequently put in centerstage.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kremrisch |first=Stella |title=Abanindranath Tagore |journal=Journal of Indian Society of Oriental Art |volume=IV |issue=1948 |pages=36}}</ref> Many of these paintings can be now seen in the Maharaja's ''Pustak Prakash'' Library and quite a few are periodically displayed in the [[Mehrangarh]] Fort Museum, Jodhpur. Man Singh was a follower of Nath cult and an illustrated manuscript of ''Nathacharita'' was prepared under his patronage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-08 |title=Around Town: The magical, telltale brushstrokes of Jodhpur-Marwar in Mumbai |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/around-town-the-magical-telltale-brushstrokes-of-jodhpur-marwar-in-mumbai-8197173/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Style ==
The Jodhpur style, which developed in the 18th-century, is characterized by its bold lines and use of primary colors. Due to local influence red and yellow colours were favourably used. The use of costumes and ''jamas'' were the result of Mughal influence. The men wore high [[Turban|turbans]] and ladies using red dotted dresses. In the paintings, artists have used a lot of golden colour because of the influence of Mughal art. Majority of the bodies are short and the hands rounded and flower knob is characteristic feature of female jewellery. They had also done detailed study of different parts of the body.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goetz |first=Hermann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OcSfAAAAMAAJ |title=Rajput Art and Architecture |date=1978 |publisher=Steiner |isbn=978-3-515-02982-7 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Maharaja Man Singh as a connoisseur of music and dance.jpg|thumb|Maharaja Man Singh as a connoisseur of music and dance]]

=== Technique ===
Marwar painting is typically done on paper, cloth, or walls using natural colors made from mineral and vegetable sources. The artists use a fine brush made of squirrel hair to create intricate designs, which often depict scenes from [[Hindu mythology]], local folklore, and historical events.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

=== Themes ===
Marwar painting is known for its rich iconography, which includes deities, animals, birds, and plants. The paintings often depict scenes from the [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]], as well as local legends and folktales. The artists also draw inspiration from nature, incorporating images of birds, flowers, and other natural elements into their work. Sociological subjects were quite popular in eighteenth century in this style. Character of [[Panchatantra]] and ''Suknasika'', potter, washerman, labourer, wood-cutter, hunter, barber, waterman, goldsmith, businessman, panibarin, milkman, gardener, farmer and their related lives were painted frequently. The traditional [[Ragamala paintings|Ragamala]] paintings were also commons subjects.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=C. |first=A. K. |date=1918 |title=Rajput Painting |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4169664 |journal=Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin |volume=16 |issue=96 |pages=49–62 |jstor=4169664 |issn=0899-0344}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ebeling |first=Klaus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_bqAAAAMAAJ |title=Ragamala Painting |date=1973 |publisher=Ravi Kumar |language=en}}</ref> Drawings of places, forts, and majestic buildings catered to the royal taste but the depiction of scenery catered to the taste of Marwari capitalists.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Nīraja |first1=Jayasiṃha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PGjTjmL29VIC&q=rajasthani+painting |title=Splendour of Rajasthani Painting |last2=Neeraj |first2=Jai Singh |date=1991 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-267-3 |language=en}}</ref>

== Contribution to heritage ==
Marwar painting of Jodhpur is an important part of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The paintings are highly valued by collectors and art enthusiasts and are an important source of income for the artists and their families.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}} Artists trained at the courts of the Mughal emperors introduced the Jodhpur artists to the classical concepts of portraiture and composition.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crill |first=Rosemary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RBhkQgAACAAJ |title=Marwar Painting: A History of the Jodhpur Style |date=2000 |publisher=India Book House |isbn=978-81-7508-139-0 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Schools and subschools ===
Located near the Marwar border, [[Devgarh, Rajasthan|Devgarh]] Thikana, though situated in Mewar borders, show a deep impact of Marwar style. The grandeur of the Marwar school of painting was well-expressed in Jodhpur style. Alongside this, [[Bikaner style of painting|Bikaner style]] emerged from it as an independent school while [[Kishangarh]] style became world renowned. Substyles of [[Jaisalmer]], [[Nagaur]], [[Sirohi]], [[Ghanerao]], also became distinct.<ref name=":0" /> Many temples of the region have [[mural|murals]] beside the more popular miniature art.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art & Architecture: The Treasures Of Marwariland |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/recliner/art-architecture-the-treasures-of-marwariland/37381/1 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref> Marwar murals are simple in execution as well as in arrangement and have used the [[stucco]] technique as well as [[tempera]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Agarwala |first=Ramavatar |date=1977 |title=The Marwar Murals |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3250168 |journal=Artibus Asiae |volume=39 |issue=3/4 |pages=268–272 |doi=10.2307/3250168|jstor=3250168 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="nolines">
File:Maharaja Vijai Singh worshipping Krishna.jpg|Maharaja Vijai Singh worshipping Krishna
File:Portrait of Maharaja Ajit Singh.jpg|Portrait of Maharaja Ajit Singh
File:Maharaja Vijai Singh presenting a garland to his son Fateh Singh.jpg|Maharaja Vijai Singh presenting a garland to his son Fateh Singh
File:A celebration in the zenana.jpg|A celebration in the zenana
File:A royal party out on a hunt.jpg|A royal party out on a hunt
File:Parvati and her mother Mena view Kailasha from a Vimana.jpg|Parvati and her mother Mena view Kailasha from a Vimana
File:The City of Kannauj.jpg|The City of Kannauj
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Marwar]]
[[Category:Schools of Indian painting]]

Marwar painting - Revision history

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