The Art of the Book: Lahore School 19th Century

Abstract

The study identifies and determines the stylistic parameters of a distinctive character of book art produced in Lahore during the 19th century, manifested in illumination and illustrations. This study is based on the manuscripts present in archival collections around the world, and has attempted to unveil many among them, unknown to art historians. Lahore formally emerged as a centre of book art under Mughal rule; and one of the hypothesis of the study is that the 19th century book art followed that legacy. This study attempts to explore the roots of book art in Lahore and also endeavours to investigate the other formative sources and influences, provided by Kashmiri, Pahāŕi and European art. The elements of art and design such as color, composition, shape, form, lines and texture in illustrations and illuminations are analyzed on the basis of their commonality, differences and divergence. Last quarter of 19th century in Lahore is the period when the public started to utilize lithographic prinitng for book production at large. The transitional effects of this new printing method on book art in Lahore has also been examined in this study. The 19th century book art contributers are scrutinized through the information offered by the colophons and other major primary sources of the time. Countless artists were found working within the ambit of Lahore school, similarly patronage of book art was also noted at all hierarchical levels of the multi-ethnic and multi-religious society of 19th century Lahore. In this way, the undertaken research extends the range of book art production from a few court attached patrons and artists to the common people of Lahore. On stylistic grounds, again, this study stretches the umbrella of the Lahore school of book art over a wider range of art specimens i.e. over and above the sumptuously illustrated and illuminated manuscripts, it also includes the ones with modest sizes and a lesser degree of finesse, but of no lesser importance.