When it comes to India and paintings, there are a plethora of options. The modern art scene in India is blossoming – many modern Indian artists have excellent pieces for sale in India, Europe, and the U.S. There are also uber-traditional options for purists – Mughal-themed paintings, Hindu-themed paintings, and so on.
I personally prefer Indian paintings that add a modern touch to ancient depictions of Indian history. I also think those type of paintings work incredibly well with American homes, mostly because of the fusion of old and new, East and West.
Sounds complicated, right? It really isn’t. Let’s take a look at an example:
I simply love this painting of an older Indian man, with a multi-colored background and foreground. The painting is at once traditional and contemporary. The traditional silhouette of a turbaned Indian man is instantly recognizable to all Indians everywhere (and probably to travelers who are familiar with India). The multicolored touch adds a contemporary feel to a traditional look – ancient Indian man entering modernity, perhaps. Either way, I think it would look quite exceptional in a study or even an American living room. I’m not sure if I would put it in my office.
Let’s take a look at another, slightly modern and slightly historic, Indian painting:
This painting of the Taj Mahal caught my eye. I should be honest here: I generally loathe paintings and pictures of the Taj Mahal, because whenever India is mentioned or Googled, they immediately pop up. You can’t hide from the Taj! Not ever!
But after seeing this painting, I actually felt a fondness for the Taj. The colors of the painting caught my eye immediately – they are contemporary, and different – especially the pink. They add a slightly whimsical touch to what would normally be a very traditional depiction of the Taj Mahal in the background, and camel-bound travelers in the foreground. It almost borders on cartoonish, but deftly sidesteps that domain through the serious depictions of both the travelers and the Taj.
I might consider hanging this painting in a bedroom – probably a guest bedroom, depending on what else was there. I also could see this painting in an office setting – perhaps in the waiting room or the hallway?
Now, let’s take a look at a completely different painting:
I actually have no idea if this painting depicts a genuine British Indian home in the 1800s. But that’s what it feels like to me. The architecture seems distinctly Mughal to my eye, and I love the slightly bored and barefoot British gals lolling about. It’s the perfect blend of colonialism meets local reality. Were these ladies still in Britain, they would probably be ensconced in a sitting room, delicately sewing a needlepoint project or playing the pianoforte. That’s not an option with this scene – because they are in India. I get a sense that the Indian summer has just arrived, bringing its intense heat and humidity. Perhaps these ladies are waiting until they can escape north to the garden towns and British summer society?
Anyway, I think this painting would be very interesting in an American home. Although it’s clearly a colonialist production, I’m still okay with it, since there aren’t any Indian servants lurking about doing menial chores. You just see India from the point of view of these slightly bored British gals. I would place this in the living room, a guest room, or maybe even a dining room. It might work in a study too – especially a wood-paneled study, or one that has a lot of books.
Let’s take a look at a more traditional Indian painting:
This painting is a little more conventional and Indian traditional than the ones we looked at previously. But I think the black-and-white checkered floor gives it a modern cutting edge, along with the geometric silhouette of the Indian lady herself.
Because of those touches, I actually think this painting would work very well in a modern studio, a modern study (with contemporary furniture), or a guest bedroom. I could possibly see it in a dining room – although not a dining room with traditional wood furniture. This painting seems just right for a 21st century American home look.
Anyway – we’ve looked at a few different types of Indian paintings. I hope that helps expand the genre in your mind, and also in your American (or British?) home. There’s nothing more exciting than bringing Eastern design to the Western world. I think the two mesh perfectly – don’t you?
