Mughal Miniatures

by J. M. Rogers

Published 1 August 1993
The Mughal school of miniature painting flourished in northern India in the 16th and 17th centuries under the patronage of the Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Rooted in a diverse mix of cultural, religious and artistic traditions, it became one of the richest and most productive schools in the whole history of Islamic art. In this new edition, featuring many additional full-colour illustrations from the matchless collection of the British Museum, J.M. Rogers explores the development of Mughal painting from its early beginnings to the masterpieces created by the court studios for the books and albums of their demanding imperial patrons. He describes the historical setting in which the Mughal artists worked and gives insights into the materials and techniques they used to create their brilliant effects with such consummate skill. The paintings reproduced in this book cover the full range of Mughal miniature art, from manuscript illustrations of biographical, historical or mythological works to courtly portrait albums with both human and animal subjects.
This is the ultimate concise yet illuminating introduction to the paintings, painters and royal patrons of Mughal India.