Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c10.s4.17

c10.s4.17

The composition in Western Indian miniatures shows more unity when the subject is spread out in the same plane. The superimposition then becomes useless, and the artist then can concentrate on the problem of grouping his figures. The principle which dominates in this case is that of opposition : the figures arranged in the rigorously co-ordinated poses at the extreme ends of the painting are plunged in the attitude of mutual contemplation. For instance, a man and a woman seated facing one another in the attitude conforming to such point of view should merge into one another if the painting were to be folded. This co-ordination in other cases became more complicated.