TEXT QUESTIONS :
1. Fill in the blanks :
(a) The art form which observed carefully and tried to capture exactly what the eye saw is called__________ .
(b) The style of painting which showed Indian landscape as a quaint, unexplored land is called ____________ .
(c) Paintings which showed the social lives of Europeans in India are called __________ .
(d) Paintings which depicted scenes from British imperial history and their victories are called _________ .
Ans:
(a) Realism (b) Picturesque landscape painting (c) Portrait painting (d) History painting .
2. Point out which of the following were brought in with British art:
(a) oil painting (b) miniatures (c) life-size portrait painting (d) use of perspective (e) mural art .
Ans: (a) Oil painting (b) Miniatures (c) Life-size portrait painting .
3. Describe in your own words one painting from this chapter which suggests that the British were more powerful than Indians. How does the artist depict this ?
Ans: The painting which depicts the discovery of the body of Tipu Sultan shows the British as more powerful than Indians. In this painting, the British General is shown as if standing on a high pedestal and exuding all the confidence. On the other hand, Tipu Sultan is shown half naked and lifeless; lying in the dark recess. The painting appears to announce that those who dare to challenge the British authority would meet the same fate.
4. Why did the scroll painters and potters come to Kalighat ? Why did they begin to paint new themes ?
Ans: The scroll painters and potters come to Kalighat because the city of Calcutta was expanding as a commercial and administrative centre. Colonial offices were coming up, new buildings and roads were being built, markets were being established. The village artists came and settled in the city in the hope of new patrons and new buyers of their art. They began to paint new social and political themes depicting social life .
5. Why can we think of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings as national ?
Ans: Raja Ravi Varma was one of the first artists who tried to create a style that was both modern and national. He mastered the western art of oil painting and realistic life study, but painted themes from Indian mythology .
6. In what way did the British history paintings in India reflect the attitudes of imperial conquerors ?
Ans: The British history paintings tried to dramatize and recreate various episodes of British imperial history and enjoyed great prestige and popularity. British victories in India served as rich material for history painters in Britain. These painters drew on first –hand sketchers and accounts of travellers to depict for the British public a favourable image of British actions in India. Imperial history paintings sought to create a public memory of imperial triumphs .
7. Why do you think some artists wanted to develop a national style of art ?
Ans: A new group of nationalist artists felt that a genuine Indian style of painting had to draw inspiration from non-western art traditions, and try to capture the spiritual essence of the East. So they turned for inspiration to medieval Indian traditions .
8. Why did some artists produce cheap popular prints ? What influence would such prints have had on the minds of people who looked at them ?
Ans: Some artists produced cheap popular prints because mechanical printing presses were set up in different parts in India. The machines produced a large number of prints which could be sold at a cheaper rate in the markets .
Not only the poor artists painted popular prints but the middle class Indian artists set up printing presses and produced prints for a wide market. The figures produced were located in picturesque landscape settings, with mountains, lakes, rivers and forests. The figures with Hindu deities were seen in shops and roadside stalls .
9. Look at any tradition of art in your locality. Find out how it has changed in the last 50 years .You may check who supports the artists, and who looks at their art . Remember to examine the changes in styles and themes .
Ans: I found out about the history of carpets around my area. The origin of carpet weaving in our area is very ancient. This can be traced back to the Buddhist and Mauryan times. The carpet weaving craft is practiced by Mushhar and shepherds which are semi-nomadic. Generally-traditional and strong influence of Tibetan and Persian Art is seen in the designs. The images of Hindus Gods and deities, Natural scenarios of the hills and geometrical motifs etc. are included . The techniques of weaving have been changed to a great extent. Now electrical appliances are also used in this process. Its market has also expanded over the time. However, due to spread of education, many people have shifted to other jobs. Currently, many women from other communities have also taken to carpet weaving. Thus, it is expanding in our area .