This volume follows Mughal Painters and their Work-A Biographical Survey and Comprehensive Catalogue (Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1994), the first comprehensive book of reference on the work of nearly 200 Mughal painters; and has been conceived to provide readers much information on the Mughal painting through the contribution of individual master painters. Need not say ample information is available about the artists of the Mughal atelier (sixteenth-seventeenth centuries). Yet, to date, except for some articles on a few painters, no book has been published on individual artist. Ustad Mansur, a keen observer of nature endowed with almost Euclidean intellect, deserved a more detailed study to re-evaluate his merit as an artist whose achievement in naturalistic portraiture of a large number of species from the world of flora and fauna has remained unsurpassed till today. Our attempt is to enter into the very creative process of this great Mughal painter; to relive in his times and environment, in order to discover real Mansur. The whole panorama of Mansur’s portraits of birds, animals and flowers set in marvellously and uniquely laid background represents, in his true spirit and characteristics, the very quintessence of nature’s endless variety of creation and beauty. Part I provides historical and artistic context in which Ustad Mansur worked. Information about him has been gleaned from original texts (principally Persian historical sources), supplemented by the evidence of artist’s own work. Part II comprises the plate section of representative eighteen miniatures that illustrate our painter’s style and his specialisation in painting. The appendix further enhances the value of this work since it provides correct rendering of contemporary inscriptions and determines genuine signatures and contemporary ascriptions. The volume is richly illustrated with a large number of black-and-white and colour illustrations. These illustrate the art and style of Ustad Mansur Nadir u’l ‘Asr (Unequalled of the Age), the most illustrious naturalist painter of India. It will naturally be of interest to students of art and natural history. It is also recommended to persons curious to know about the Mughal times. It is hoped that other volumes on individual Mughal painters will follow’ and monographs on their lives and work with a criticale valuation will be available.

"Portraiture, the depiction of nature, and the illustration of margins in manuscripts - considered significant facets of Mughal painting - are looked at closely. Technical skills, motifs, and the symbolism so characteristic of this period are also discussed extensively. This volume also analyses the influence of European Renaissance art on Mughal painting." "Enriched by the historian's craft this book is significant for the wide appeal it commands - it will not only interest serious scholars of Mughal history and cultural studies, but also art historians, connoisseurs of art, and those interested in the development of painting in South Asia."--Jacket.

An invaluable reference work, this catalogue offers the first critical documentation of the 300-odd miniature painters who worked in the Mughal style over the period 1550-1707, spanning the reigns of the Mughal emperors Humayun to Aurangzeb. Biographical sketches precede each entry, which is listed alphabetically. A unique feature is the scholarly transliteration and translation of all Persian inscriptions on the paintings on the basis of which attributions have been made, sometimes mistakenly. The catalogue is preceded by an introduction which gives the social, historical, and artistic context within which the painters worked.