[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908) › c10.164 # Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c10.164 Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c10.164 - **Language:** English ### [c10.164](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c10.164) The Ajanta paintings are true frescoes, executed by a process similar to that known in Italy as \*fresco buono\*, though, if Mr. Griffiths is correct, they seem to have been retouched in tempera.² Probably Mr. Bell was led by Mr. Griffiths' early reports on this subject to suppose that the Sîgiri paintings were not frescoes, in the technical sense of the word. There is no known process of tempera or oil-painting which would stand exposure to tropical weather for nearly fifteen hundred years as the Sîgiri paintings have done. The process employed, both at Ajanta and Sîgiri, was doubtless some modification of the present Indian fresco process,¹ and very similar to that used in ancient Egypt, the simplicity of which, as Mr. Griffiths observes, has ensured a durability denied to more recent attempts in Europe, executed with all the aids of modern chemical science. - [Previous: c10.163](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c10.163) - [Next: c10.165](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c10.165) - [Up: c10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c10) ## Linked texts (2) - [Sigiriya](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sigiriya) - [Ajanta](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ajanta) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c10.164](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c10.164) · Pramāṇa