Ancient traditional Indian folk art, known as Thanjavur Paintings, frequently features mythology. They demonstrate how spirituality is necessary for the creation of art. The Tanjore Temple Painting style of traditional South Indian art was developed in Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, in the second half of the 16th century.
The Tanjore temple painting style of art first appeared in Thanjavur, the former capital of the Chola Empire. It now has a distinctive appearance that is enhanced with intricate architectural details and vibrant colors, influenced by the imperial era's murals.
The distinct Thanjavur or Tanjore temple painting style that is so well-known today is known to have flourished in Thanjavur's Maratha court between the 17th and 19th centuries. The Maratha people of India, who had been practicing painting for centuries, found new ways to depict the human body and naturalistic landscapes under the guidance of King Serfoji II, who played a particularly significant role in the development of this art form.
Artistic Changes
These Tanjore temple paintings offer an impression of the serenity and robustness of Puranic scenes. The attractive design and realistic illustrations in this collection set it apart. Throughout the Mughal era, the aesthetic underwent numerous changes. The nearly two centuries that the Marathas ruled Thanjavur saw a distinct style change in the paintings of the city.
Maratha artists decided to enhance the existing mural-based design with unique details showing exquisite craftsmanship. The gods have almond-shaped eyes, and the figures in the paintings are well-rounded. An arch, curtains, etc would be used to create a container to keep the figure inside. This folk art from India emphasizes ornaments, dresses, and other details with shimmering stones and gold leaves.
Some popular subjects in Tanjore paintings include Krishna, Balaji, Lakshmi, and Ganesha. Thanjavur is known for its beautiful and vividly colored paintings. The artwork's pronounced glow gives the impression of presence in a pitch-black room. While some Thanjavur paintings also use glass and walls, wooden canvases make up most of their surfaces.
The developed fashions hardly differed from one another. Tanjore put a lot of emphasis on gold ornaments and jewelry with gems. Vuyaioor placed a lot of value on the ornamental garland. Paintings with fine details from Mysore. Tanjore art was significantly influenced by establishing the British Garrison in Thanjavur in 1778.
Tanjore art is well known for its glossy finish and deep, flat colors. They also use a method called "gold foil," which entails manually sprinkling a layer of minuscule gold, bronze, or brass flakes on top of a painting.
For instance, semi-precious stones add light to the painting and highlight different elements. The image has a distinctive glow and enduring shine thanks to genuine Tanjore stones and 22-carat gold. Many independent artists are abandoning traditional Tanjore temple painting methods.
4 Types of Tanjore Paintings Available in the Market
Tanjore paintings can be found in the market in four main categories. The problem is that they are all marketed and offered for sale as traditional Tanjore artwork.
Traditional
The first category consists of traditional Thanjavur paintings created by Thanjavur traditional painters, either from the Raju and Naidu communities, whose ancestors were patrons of the great Nayak dynasty. These artists strictly adhere to conventional techniques and make use of conventional materials. Sadly, their higher costs prevent them from competing in the market, and younger generations are not pursuing this art. Thanjavur has a very small number of them left.
Commercial
The second group of artists includes those who chose Tanjore painting as a career after spending some time learning from master craftsmen, whether they are second- or first-generation artists. These artists create Tanjore paintings that are classified as "commercial." Most of the time, they don't use conventional materials and are created much more quickly and cheaply.
Freelance
The third category consists of independent artists who have completed a brief course (now mostly online) and primarily rely on social media for sales.
Fake
The final one is a collection of largely machine-made and imported "fake" Tanjore paintings.
Cost Worthy Tanjore Painting Overview
The majority of Tanjore paintings on the market today are primarily "commercial" Tanjore paintings created to make money and satisfy consumer demands. These paintings can be made in a lot less time and with cheaper supplies. They might, however, appear very similar.
While the majority of commercial Tanjore paintings use 6mm–8mm plywood, traditional Tanjore paintings use hardwood. The price is cut in half by using plywood, but the canvas board's strength is decreased by a third. The durability of the canvas board directly affects the dependability of the gold relief work.
The preparation of the board with PVA wood glue, also known as "Fevicol," is another obvious difference. These boards can typically be created in a single day. Tamarind seed powder has been used in wooden canvas boards for centuries.
The type of materials used for relief work, also known as "mugh work," are another less obvious difference. Chalk powder and PVA wood glue, also known as "Fevicol," are frequently used in this type of work. Compared to clay relief work, easy and affordable to source.
Factors Affecting Tanjore Paintings Cost
Another significant variable that affects the price of Tanjore paintings is the quality of the gold. To create Tanjore paintings, artists can use 18K gold, 22K gold, silver with a gold coating, and imitation gold. The majority of consumers won't be able to distinguish between the two.
The artist's abilities, the beauty of the work, or the quality are additional factors that affect price. Traditional drawing techniques, such as smooth round figures, mudras, and almond-shaped eyes, must be used to depict the mudras (hand gestures), face, and especially the eyes.
When you want to alter a Tanjore painting to suit your tastes, the price can occasionally go up significantly. Particularly if you want to alter the composition or alter the size of these paintings. Most of the time, changes to the color scheme have no effect on prices.
The place where you purchase these paintings is ultimately the most crucial consideration. directly from the artist, via a website, a dealer, or through a gallery or showroom. The cost can vary by 10% to 50% depending on where you purchase it.
Use These Factors to Get a Cost-Worthy Tanjore Painting
You should be able to estimate a Tanjore painting's value using the factors above when you visit a Tanjore Art Gallery. Sometimes figuring out how valuable a painting is can be difficult. Even with these factors to consider, knowing whether your painting is worth anything can be challenging.
Mangala Tanjore Paintings is where you can get a masterpiece Tanjore painting if you want to buy one. Check the website now to know more!
