Peacock-Peahen

An element of strangeness, a sense of novel wonder, a mystery burning at the heart of life are some of the intrinsic characteristics of Madhubani art. The two worlds of spirit and matter blend in Madhubani paintings.

The stylized form of a peacock and a peahen occupy the entire pictorial space. Used in many Mithila paintings, the peacock is considered a symbol of eternity. There is a lack of realism with the figures gifted to a peacock. But the Mithila painter has never boasted of realistic art. The line of the painting is static and unimportant compared to the colour, which is at its emotive best here. Energy and passion find expression through use of bright hues. These fantastically strange colours are an important element in the power of the images. The colourful wings are depicted in geometric pattern in different colours.

The draughtsmanship, symmetry and the colour scheme shows artistic maturity, a hallmark of Madhubani art.

This description by Kiranjyot

Of Related Interest:

An Introduction to Madhubani Paintings (Article)

Complete Collection of Madhubani Paintings