Painting in the Punjab Plains 1849 -1949

Painting in the Punjab Plains is an attempt to compile a visual as well as a written data about the Painting in the Punjab Plains 1849 to 1949. Since all art history books when discussing the art of that period only documented and appreciated the work produced in the Punjab Hill States, I felt an inquisitive urge to discover the neglected art of the Punjab plains.This work was hardly visible anywhere. It is a known fact that artists from Lahore and Amritsar went to seek employment in the hill states during the anarchy that prevailed in the Punjab plains immediately after the fall of the Mughal empire. These artists were also known to come down to their hometowns during the very cold winters of the hills. Given this strong and recurring relationship, it was a great injustice to specifically exclude paintings done in the plains from the praises given to the paintings of the hills of Punjab. This book is about the period that the British ruled the Punjab. It chronicles the hardships faced by the artists due to the British indifference and their influence on art. It is also a hundred years prior to the creation of Pakistan. It is the foundation on which Pakistan art developed.

Autorentext

Musarrat Hasan, painter art historian. Received MA 1961, PhD 1997 in Fine Arts, Punjab University. Over 40 years of teaching: 14 as professor at 2 universities for PhD classes. Author of 6 books, Best Book award in 1998. "President's Award for Academic Distinction" 2008. Member Punjab Parliament 2008-13.