Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.39

c19.39

The memory element is in Indian art almost as characteristic as its consistent idealism. *Painting* As already remarked, the Kandyan artist carried in his head the elements of his art, and composed them as occasion required. His fault lay in becoming the slave rather than *Idealism* the master of the tradition thus transmitted; there have been many times in the history of Indian art when it has been otherwise, but eighteenth century Kandyan was not one of these high-water marks.