Imperial Mughal Painting

by Stuart Cary Welch

Book by Welch, Stuart Cary

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Asia

119 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Daniel Morgan]

The first 40 pages or so have a history of the first 6 Mughal emperors, explain the mechanics of Mughal painting (for instance, I didn't realize that they worked on drawing boards while sitting down), a timeline of the later emperors, a bibliography for primary, historical, and artistic sources. There is also a super-helpful list of every artwork with the date, dimensions, etc. Out of 35 unique artworks - there are 40 plates total, as some span two plates - 12 are from Akbar, 13 are from Jahangir, 6 are from Jahan, and the remaining 6 are from various others.

For the quality of reproductions, this is the single best art book I have ever seen in my life. These aren't just photos, the pages themselves are art. I don't know how, but every image literally shimmers with metal; reading this book with lamps or candles, you really feel like you are seeing shimmering gold. The calligraphy, the gentleness and hues of the original brushstrokes, the varnish of the agate burnishing. I have no idea how, but every single one of these looks like an actual manuscript that you can hold in your hand. I am almost tempted to buy a second copy, just so I can cut out some pages to hang on my wall.

[reveurdart]

Written with good insight and sensitivity to the subject. The writing is to the point and the selection of images are well chosen, I'm happy to say.

[Jacabaeus]

An absolutely fantastic book on the Mughals and their miniatures. I can't think of a good reason why I let this languish in the purgatory of my to read pile. Text is emminently readable, the facsimiles are excellent for the time, the binding is great, and it's short! It's the whole package.

[Patrick Stuart]

Really a wonderful book, magnificent images given room to breathe and Stuart Cary Welch is brief, illuminating, perceptive and amusing.

[Sam]

Very quick read. Good intro, stunning figures.

[Kalliope]

Mentioned in Annemarie Schimmel's book (Empire of the Great Mughals) several times. Must have, at least, beautiful illustrations. Just ordered it through Abebooks since it is out of print.

[Paban`]

i want to read this book