Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Rajasthani School of Painting, a prominent style of Indian miniature painting, flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. The technique involved intricate brushwork and specific preparation of the painting surface and pigments, largely following traditions established in manuscript illustration.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The paintings were typically executed on waslis. A wasli is a layered paper board created by gluing together several sheets of paper to provide a thick, non-porous, and sturdy surface capable of holding water-based pigments without buckling.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The colour pigments were not exclusively synthetic dyes imported from Europe. The artists primarily used natural minerals and plant sources. Common pigments included ochre, lapis lazuli (blue), malachite (green), indigo, lac (red), and precious metals like gold and silver. While some materials might have been traded, the reliance was on natural, locally or regionally available mineral and vegetable colours, not European synthetic dyes.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Upon completion, the painting was indeed burnished. The artist would place the painting face down on a smooth surface or use a smooth stone, typically agate, to rub the reverse side (or carefully on the front with a protective layer). This process set the pigments into the paper fibers and provided a uniform sheen or gloss to the artwork.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: Indian miniature paintings, including the Rajasthani School, are characterized by the use of wasli (layered paper) as a base and natural mineral or vegetable pigments, finished with agate burnishing for a distinct sheen.