The Forgotten Souvenir

About The Exhibition

European aesthetics now influenced these Indian artists who, adapting to the tastes of their new clientele, started creating works not only on paper but also on mica, ivory and shell. The rich, natural pigments of Mughal painting were replaced by softer, nearly transparent pastel watercolours.

On mica, artists often mixed watercolour paints with another base, to enhance vibrancy and opacity. Though fragile, mica was easier to transport than glass, making it an attractive souvenir for British travellers, a history that is now largely forgotten.