This book journeys through the development and decline of the schools of Indian miniature painting. The represented masterpieces bear testimony to the genius of the painters. Of special interest is the context, portrayed through contemporary literature and chronicles that throw light on the lives of these master artists.

A catalogue to accompany an exhibit held at the museum from March to July 1997. Color reproductions of 83 paintings are presented chronologically rather than in the usual separate sections on Mughal, Deccani, Rijput, and Pahari traditions. Kossak, associate curator of Asian art at the museum, offers an introductory essay. Distributed in the US by Harry N. Abrams. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Published in conjunction with an exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Sept. 28, 2011-Jan. 8, 2012.

"This book traces the development of Indian miniature painting from the Bagh caves to the Sikh school. Progressing chronologically, the author analyses the works of each school or rather the centre where various trends in art would either be transformed or gain prominence, or disappear depending upon the prevalent style. The miniatures often provide true records of the social and cultural life of the time. Working even in conventional forms, the Indian miniaturists have captured the spirit and mood of the subject matter in minutest details--the romance and passion of lovers, the frolics of Radha and Krishna, the royal splendour of the princes, the valor and courage on the battlefields, etc. The eighty beautiful miniatures reproduced, sixty-two of them in colour, show the originality of their subject matter, their vibrant colours and refined treatment of details."--book jacket.