[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) › c13.s7 # Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c13.s7: The Ajanta and Sîgiri Frescoes Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c13.s7 - **Language:** English ### The Ajanta and Sîgiri Frescoes ### [c13.s7.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c13.s7.1) The ground on which the Ajanta paintings were executed appears to have been composed of pulverised trap, mixed with clay and cow-dung, laid on the roughish surface of the rocks to a depth varying from a quarter to half an inch. Sometimes rice-husks were added, especially on the ceilings. Over this ground was laid the \*intonaco\* of this smooth plaster, about the thickness of an egg-shell, upon which the painting was done (Mr. John Griffiths, “Ajanta,” vol. i. p. 18). ### [c13.s7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c13.s7.2) At Sîgiri the ground was a thickness of about half an inch of tempered earth and kaolin of a reddish brown hue, strengthened with rice-husks and perhaps shreds of cocoa-nut fibre. Upon this were laid at least two coatings of white chûnâ (lime), a quarter to half an inch thick (Mr. H. C. P. Bell, "Journal R.A.S., Ceylon," vol. xv., p. 114). ## Linked texts (1) - [Ajanta](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ajanta) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c13.s7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c13.s7) · Pramāṇa