A strange dichotomy exists between the Jaipur Arayash and Italian Frescoes, two not-so-distinct mural-painting styles that flourished during the Mughal era and the Italian Renaissance, respectively. And although they have a similar painting style, what’s fascinating is that they capture the essence of the cultures and beliefs of the places in which they developed.
It’s been food for thought for me recently.
The Jaipur Arayash versus the Italian Frescoes
Arayash is the ‘wet-process’ of wall painting in Jaipur. It is also known as Alagila or Morakasi. This technique is the same as that of the frescoes in the West. Rajasthan has preserved as well as nurtured the art form. The Jaipur Arayash has enjoyed the patronage of the royalty and has received a constant support from the locals.
During that time, Arayash was an economical alternative to marble. The finish of it was smooth and glossy, akin to marble. Besides its durability, it also regulated the temperature of the interiors – warm in winters and cool in summers. In fact, the water tanks built using this technique were effective in keeping the water both cool and clean.
Under the Mughal Empire, India stood out for its openness to ideas, opinions and ethnicities. As the history goes, the innovations of Renaissance reached India during the reign of Akbar and Jahangir through Christian missionaries from Italy. Kings of Jaipur and Amer were on amicable terms with the Mughals, so the idea of frescoes thrived in the state. The only difference between Italian Frescoes and Jaipur Arayash is that the former uses a textured wall, while the latter adopts a polished surface. This makes the Jaipur technique comparatively long-lasting and more appealing.
Frescoes from the palaces of India
The fresco paintings gradually evolved from cliffs and caves to palaces. A seemingly simple human interaction with his surroundings turned into a whole art style.
The Shekhawati Frescoes
There are major havelis in Shekhawati which, in terms of fresco paintings, are comparable to the grandeur of palaces. Shekhawati is a region in Rajasthan that was once part of the Silk Route. The Marwaris (or the local traders) amassed wealth owing to opium, cotton and spice trade and so the havelis in the region flourished. They built homes and adorned them with stunning frescoes.
A notable feature of the Shekhawati frescoes is their use of exclusively natural colors. For example, kajal was used to paint black, chalks to paint white, and sometimes even 22-karat gold to paint the golden color.
Frescoes of Karauli City Palace
Karauli is a small city in the state of Rajasthan. The City Palace of Karauli was originally built in the 14th century by Maharaja Arjun Pal. The lineage of Yaduvanshi king Arjun Pal traces back to Lord Krishna. But the current architecture was laid out by Raja Gopal Singh in the 18th century. The palace has been now restored to reinstate the decorative elements – murals, stone carvings and lattice work.
Frescoes of Samode Palace
Samode Palace boasts a rich history of 475 years embodying Indo-Saracenic architecture style. It was originally a 16th-century Rajput Fort that was transformed into an elegant palace by Rawal Berisal. Rawal Sheo Singh, his descendent, enhanced the estate by introducing Durbar Halls and Sheesh Mahal. It was converted to a luxurious heritage hotel under the name, ‘Samode Palace Hotel’ in 1987.
Frescoes from Thanjavur Maratha Palace (or Aranmanai)
Thanjavur Maratha Palace was built in 1535, after the fall of the Cholas. It is locally known as Aranmanai and still is the official residence of the Bhonsle family. The original name of the palace is Sivaganga fort, and has often been mistakenly addressed as the Thanjavur Maratha Palace. It was built by Thanjavur Nayaks and was only enhanced by the Maratha Kings during their reign.
Thanjavur frescoes came during the Renaissance but before the Mughals, stating the possibility that this style was already practiced in South India before it was brought to Mughal India by Italians.
Italian Renaissance: The Era of Frescoes
As the name suggests, the Renaissance was a period of cultural, artistic, economic and political revival in Europe. Often credited for bridging the gaps between the middle ages and modern-day civilization, it extended roughly from the 14th to the 17th century. It was characterized by a resurgence in the study and appreciation in fields of philosophy, literature and art. Some of the most renowned scientists, writers and artists of this period include Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, William Shakespeare, Rene Descartes and Desiderius Erasmus.
In the realm of art, this period saw a blend of art and science. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci studied anatomy to accurately represent the human body in his art. This period also laid an emphasis on naturalism and realism, to create art in a way that closely resembles reality, something that is phenomenally represented in the works of Michelangelo. Artists focused on infusing emotions in their art pieces and used techniques like shadows, light and perspective to add intricacies and details to their work.
Fresco, as an art form, peaked during the Renaissance. Some major art works of this period have been in frescoes such as glorious, elaborate religious scenes from the Bible, adorning the walls of the churches as if bringing divinity to the land of humans.
Renowned Fresco Artists and their work
Giotto di Bondone, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino and Diego Rivera are among history’s most celebrated fresco artists. Giotto is acclaimed as the father of Italian Renaissance. He brought realism and naturalism to his paintings, particularly through his work in the Scrovegni Chapel. Michelangelo Buonarroti, on the other hand, is revered for his breathtaking work in the Sistine Chapel depicting events from the holy Bible. And Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino(also known as Raphael) left a legacy behind in global cultural treasures with his work like The School of Athens. Lastly, Diego Rivera, renowned Mexican-muralist, made a strong impact with murals at Palacio National and across Mexico.
In retrospect,
The world of fresco painting is extremely vast and captivating. Over the years, we can see how this art form evolved from merely being a mode of expression to becoming a thing of architecture and beauty, showcasing its artistic significance and timeless appeal.
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By Vidhi Ojha
