Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c77.130

v2.c77.130

This is very important theme of the pictorial art canons. How to paint is to be answered both from the point of view of Realism and Idealism. All Fine Arts, Poetry, Drama, Music and Painting, etc. are guided by the loftiest of Idealism and highest of Culture as well as noblest of themes and sublimest of Conventions. Conventionalism in the art, therefore, is its life-breath, which in its turn is guided by Realism and Idealism both. Realism does not mean photographic fidelity. Similarly Idealism cannot be a monstrous torture of Realism. Idealism is Realism perfect and graceful. Realism has always been the ideal not only of Painting and Sculpture but also found fully represented in Poetry. In Śiśupālavadha (III-51) even the live cat is taken for statue—so marvelous is the work of Sculptors. Another type of this highly realistic representation is to be found in 'Raghu-Vaṁśa (XVI.16) where lions spring fiercely to kill the mighty elephants painted on the walls of bathing houses on the banks of Sarayū only to discover that they are merely lifeless drawings and nothing more. Similar examples of such extraordinary realistic treatment in painting and sculpture can be multiplied from both the literary and archaeological sources to prove this realism in Indian art. We have already noted (cf. 'Types of Painting') that every Picture and especially a Viddha Citra (i. e. a portrait) should be like a reflection in the mirror.