This book journeys through the development and decline of the schools of Indian miniature painting. The represented masterpieces bear testimony to the genius of the painters. Of special interest is the context, portrayed through contemporary literature and chronicles that throw light on the lives of these master artists.

How small is small? In The Big Book of Tiny Art you’ll discover a dynamic collection of miniature artwork, most no bigger than a large coin, covering a wide range of subjects, from animals and food to people and places. Showcasing painting and drawing, this inspirational guidebook provides an up-close look at the art of the miniature. Learn to paint and draw your own tiny masterpieces as you follow the simple step-by-step instructions. Each section of the book includes a gallery of finished miniature artwork. Packed with amazing illustrations, The Big Book of Tiny Art is a feast for both the eyes and the creative spirit.

The Mughal school of miniature painting flourished in northern India in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, chiefly under the patronage of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Rooted in a diversity 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 beautifully illustrated book the author surveys 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 the materials and techniques they used to create their brilliant effects. The paintings reproduced here cover the whole range of Mughal miniature art, from manuscript illustrations of biographical, historical or mythological works to courtly portrait albums, with both human and animal subject.

An analysis of the ways in which everyday objects are narrated to animate or realize certain versions of the world.