Mysore Painting
Mysore Painting is a classical South Indian painting tradition from Mysuru in Karnataka, known for its delicate line work, soft colours and the warm glow of gold foil. The style grew under the patronage of the Wodeyar rulers of Mysore, carrying forward the court painting traditions of the Vijayanagara period.
A Mysore painting begins with a fine sketch on a prepared base. Selected areas, such as jewellery, crowns, pillars and borders, are raised with gesso work, a paste built up in layers to form a low relief, and then covered with gold foil. The rest of the painting is finished in fine brushwork with subtle, muted colours, so the gilded details catch the light without overpowering the composition.
Traditional subjects include Hindu deities, scenes from the epics and auspicious motifs. The pieces in this collection are hand-painted by Shashank Bharadwaj and include the Annapakshi (Annam bird), royal horses and elephants, and Mahishasuramardini.
What Makes Mysore Painting Special
- Classical painting tradition from Mysuru, Karnataka
- Developed under the patronage of the Wodeyar dynasty
- Rooted in the court painting of the Vijayanagara era
- Raised gesso relief on jewellery, crowns and borders
- Gold foil detailing that glows in changing light
- Fine brushwork in soft, muted colours
- Deities, epic scenes and auspicious motifs as subjects
- Hand-painted, so every piece is one of a kind
