The Mughal miniature developed its own set of rules governing style and artistic deformation of the stylization of reality. Innovations were derived mainly from indigenous contemporary trends. An ascetic here sits on a flattened rock under a shady tree surrounded by jungle animals who are his only companions. The human and the animals seem to understand each other without any kind of verbal communication. The latter are facing the ascetic in an attentive manner. The animals are painted in earth tones, especially brown and gray, and there is a variety of brush strokes to define the shrubs and grasses.
The foreshortening technique has been deftly used here as the horses seem as tall as the elephant, but with the help of this, the artist has managed to fit in all animals harmoniously. This herd of beasts may not be very sensitively naturalistic, but it is imbued with fuller animal vitality. The emaciated ascetic wearing rudraksha beads and a loincloth has an expression of woe.
There is little layering and building up of pigment; the artist's touch is light, and the total effect is quiet and controlled. The landscape, with its finely drawn hills, trees, and skies, is vividly and powerfully drawn. The depiction of the sky is used to create the distant horizon and depth in the miniature. Here, there is a perfect coordination of feeling, insight, and technical refinement.
This description is by Renu Rana.
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