The correct option is
1 only
Explanation
The Bundi School of Painting is a significant sub-school of the Rajasthani style of miniature painting. It flourished in the Hadoti region (Bundi and Kota) from the 17th to the 19th century. It is renowned for its vibrant colors, lush vegetation, and distinct depiction of Ragamala sets.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The earliest phase of the Bundi School is assigned to the Chunar Ragamala series, dated 1591. These paintings were executed at Chunar (near Varanasi) during the reign of Rao Bhoj Singh. This set serves as a vital link, showcasing the transition from the popular Mughal style to the distinct Rajasthani idiom that later flourished in Bundi.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The artists of the Chunar Ragamala (such as Sheikh Hasan, Sheikh Ali, and Sheikh Hatim) identify themselves in inscriptions as pupils of Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad. These were the Persian masters who established the Mughal atelier under Emperor Humayun and Akbar. There is no mention of them being pupils of European masters.
Statement 3 is Incorrect:
The Bundi style of painting is characterized by specific facial features for women, which include round faces, receding foreheads, prominent noses, and full cheeks. The description of "sharp, angular faces" is historically associated with the Apabhramsha (Western Indian) or early Jain style of paintings, not the refined and rounded features of the Bundi School.
Key Takeaway:
The Chunar Ragamala (1591) represents the formative phase of the Bundi School, blending Mughal artistic training with indigenous Rajasthani themes. Bundi art is distinct for its round facial types and vivid depictions of nature, contrasting with the angular features of earlier medieval styles.