The Development of Indian Artistic Traditions: A Comparative Inquiry into Classical and Contemporary Visual Forms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53983/ijmds.v14n8.013Keywords:
Indian Art, Drawing and Painting, Classical Art Traditions, Contemporary Art Practices, Comparative Aesthetics, Art History, Visual CultureAbstract
This study examines the development of Indian artistic traditions in drawing and painting through a comparative analysis of classical and contemporary visual forms. The research aims to trace continuities and transformations within Indian art, highlighting the aesthetic, cultural and philosophical dimensions that shape its evolution. Methodologically, the paper employs a qualitative and descriptive approach, supported by visual analysis of selected artworks from classical traditions such as Ajanta murals, Mughal and Rajput paintings, alongside modern and contemporary practices represented by Amrita Sher-Gil, M.F. Husain, and others. The findings reveal that while classical art is deeply rooted in spirituality, symbolism and collective identity, contemporary practices reflect experimentation, individual expression and engagement with socio-political realities. The study concludes that Indian art embodies both continuity and rupture, where timeless aesthetic principles coexist with innovative reinterpretations, thereby affirming its dynamic role in negotiating cultural memory and modernity.
Downloads
References
Akpang, C. E. (2013). Found object, recycled art, readymade or junk art? Ambiguity in modern African art. Journal of Arts and Design Studies, 12, 41–49.
Asare, S., Walden, P., Aniagyei, E., & Emmanuel, M. (2023). A comparative study of traditional art techniques versus digital art techniques in the context of college visual art education. American Journal of Arts, Social and Humanity Studies, 3(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.47672/ajashs.1556
Bolat, K. E. (2021). Reading contemporary art: Comparative art history education through themes. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2021(92), 227–252. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2021.92.12
Brocchieri, J., Scialla, E., D’Onofrio, A., &Sabbarese, C. (2023). Combining XRF, multispectral imaging and SEM/EDS to characterize a contemporary painting. Quantum Beam Science, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7020013
Farley, R., & Pollock, V. L. (2022). Contemporary art in heritage practice: Mapping its intentions, claims, and complexities. Heritage and Society, 15(3), 241–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159032X.2022.2126223
Liu, Y., Shen, R., & Weng, J. (2022). The research on the portrait sculpture from ancient Rome and Han Dynasty. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 5, 140–148. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v5i.2894
Liu, Z. (2023). Iconography from a cross-cultural perspective: Comparison of expressions in Chinese and European art. Advances in Humanities Research, 4(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7080/4/2023026
Luís Rubén Pérez Pinzón. (2014). Arte y sociedad: unareflexióncrítica. Revista UNAB Virtual, 1–16. Retrieved from http://www.unabvirtual.edu.co/descargas/revista/to122014/pag_03.html
Michalska, A. (2018). Recepcjamotywówantycznych we współczesnejsztucenaprzykładzietwórczościartystów: Léo CaillardaiAyali Serfaty. Collectanea Philologica, 21, 143–151. https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-0319.21.10
Moskalyuk, M., &Serikova, T. (2020). The work of modern art: In search for the new meanings. KnE Social Sciences, 4(11), 43–49. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v4i11.7528
Ridgway, B. S. (1986). The state of research on ancient art. The Art Bulletin, 68(1), 7–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043079.1986.10788308
Sadikhova, S. (2024). Contrasting splendor: A comparative study of Baroque and Classical styles in visual arts. Acta GlobalisHumanitatis et Linguarum, 1(2), 144–154. https://doi.org/10.69760/aghel.01024076
Stevenson, A. (2024). Dialogues between past and present? Modern art, contemporary art practice, and ancient Egypt in the museum. Arts, 13(3), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts13030099
Wang, K. (2022). Comparison of ancient Greek art and ancient Roman art. In Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on Public Art and Human Development (ICPAHD 2021) (pp. 211–215). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220110.041
Wang, S., & Song, M. (2018). Research on viewing the modern art process of contemporary China from Greenberg and Benjamin theory. SSMME Proceedings, 135–138. https://doi.org/10.23977/ssmme.2018.62231
Wang, Y., & Fu, X. (2011). The aesthetic standard of Wen: A comparative study of Chinese and Western early artworks. Asian Studies, 1(1), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2011.-15.1.3-18
Yazgin, Y. (2019). A retrospective study on the comparison between Cypriot cylinder seal compositions and drawing art compositions. Amazonia Investiga, 8(20), 516–543.
Yi, L. (2017). Discussion on the painting language of acrylic material in modern painting. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Intercultural Communication (ICELAIC 2016) (pp. 612–615). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/icelaic-16.2017.149
Yunwei, W., & Ismail, R. (2025). A case study of Tian Yali and the contemporary revival of Chinese folk art. Cogent Arts and Humanities, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2493462
Zeybek, H., & Akyüz, U. (2017). The influence of Barbizon school’s educational approach on modern art and nature-art relationship in Jackson Pollock works. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 13(11), 7353–7364. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/79612
Zhao, L. (2024). Provision of “Isms” and spontaneous art: From the development of art history. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 16(3), 142–146. https://doi.org/10.54097/y6dr0b55
