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The Tanjore Painting Periods and Styles

by Corey Wainwright Offer unique value

The classical Indian Tanjore painting style has its origins from the south Indian city of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu. The Tanjore painting art form derives inspiration from the period dating back to 1600 AD, a time when the Nayakas of Thanjavur were ruled by the Vijayanagara Rayas who encouraged the various forms like art, music, dance and literature in vernacular languages. It was during this period that the Tanjore painting was encouraged. Tamjore painting and the antique Tanjore painting in particular had images of Hindu deities. It is regarded as the first era of the Tanjore paintings.

The Tanjore painting and the antique Tanjore paintings have different styles

The Tanjore painting and the antique Tanjore paintings were made in different sizes and in a variety of styles. Typically a Tanjore painting is made depending on the occasion where it will be used. In a Tanjore painting and in the antique Tanjore painting, the subject is the choice of the patron.

In the Maratha kingdom large paintings of deities and the Maratha rulers were installed in the Maratha palaces and buildings. Gods, goddesses, spiritual heads, religious leaders and portraits were the themes of the Tanjore paintings and the antique Tanjore paintings back then.

The colors used in a Tanjore painting and in the antique Tanjore painting are bright. From vivid reds, deep greens, chalk white, turquoise blues, you can find them in a Tanjore painting and in an antique Tanjore painting. The gold foil is another unique feature of the Tanjore painting and the antique Tanjore painting. While some paintings could use precious and semi-precious stones, artists often use jewelry in a Tanjore painting or in an antique Tanjore painting. The larger Tanjore paintings may have a simple yet unique composition and they are the hallmark of style.

The Tanjore painting and the antique Tanjore painting apart from being created on canvas were also done on walls, glass, wooden panel, paper, mica and on exotic medium such as ivory.  In the past, small Ivory portraits were worn as pendants called as rajaharam that were very popular in this era.

Drawing inspiration from the Chinese reverse glass paintings, the ancient Tanjore painting and the Tanjore painting were popular during the Serfoji II era. This form of Tanjore painting was done on the reverse surface of glass. Metal strips were beaten into transparent gaps to bring out the effect of jewelry, precious and semi-precious stones. Back then, a majority of antique Tanjore paintings and the Tanjore paintings were of Hindu deities and saints.

In the era, a Tanjore painting was created by artists on a plank of jackfruit or teak wood. The canvas is evenly coated with a paste of French chalk or powdered limestone and a binding medium and it is dried. Next the artist draws or traces the subject using a stencil. A paste made of limestone powder and a binding medium also known as sukkan or makku is used to create gesso work.  The gold foil is used to highlight the primary areas. The artist then places the jewelry, precious and semi-precious stones. Finally, the various colors are used to fill the subject and its other parts. In the past, when creating a Tanjore painting or an antique Tanjore painting, the artists used natural colors. However, over a period of time, this has changed in the modern day. pocket-friendly alternatives are used. Dark shades of brown or red are used for the outline and red on the other hand is one of the most popular choices for the background. Black on the other hand is sometimes used.

If you wish to purchase a Tanjore painting, you can visit Mangala Tanjore Paintings, located in Coimbatore. If you are unable to visit the art gallery, you can visit the official website, purchase a Tanjore painting or an antique Tanjore painting of your choice and have it shipped to your address.


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About Corey Wainwright Innovator   Offer unique value

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Joined APSense since, May 9th, 2022, From New York, United States.

Created on Jul 21st 2022 10:35. Viewed 208 times.

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