Landscape Painting In Pakistan

Introduction:

Landscape painting is a visual art genre which represents a view of countryside. It include natural scenery such as mountains, trees, rivers and forests etc. this genre has a huge history.

Landscape painting was introduced as a genre for the first time in Chinese art by the 4th century. Before this Greeks and Romans used many scenic views in their paintings but it was often expressed in a religious subject, such as the themes of the rest on the flight into Egypt or Saint Jerome in the dessert. But in Europe it doesn’t really begin before early 15th century. And in the subcontinent landscape compositions has been used as an architectural design and motif to decorate forts, mosques, temples, shrines, and other religious buildings. Miniature painting was the common genre of that time and linear landscape was used as a background in these paintings. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century landscape painting emerged as an independent genre in Pakistan. The establishment of arts schools in the Subcontinent – like the JJ School in Bombay or the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore – provided formal education in both local crafts and Western fine arts to aspiring visual artists.

Pakistan has wide range of artist who worked as a nature lover in their own styles and expressions. There is variety of expressions in landscape painting. Researcher is going to talk about the advancement in landscape painting in Pakistan through history and arrival of different sty les of landscape painting.

Rationale of the study is to focus on the development of landscape painting in Pakistan and impressions of different landscape painters.

Aim of this paper is to structure the research in a way that it would be beneficial for the students of art history. This research will be beneficial for the person who’s conducted the research on the same topic.

Advancement in landscape painters of Pakistan

From the independence till now there were so many artists who painted landscape in their own way. Every artist has his own tremendous impression which helps the next generation of artists to grow and to understand art the better ways. From traditional painting to contemporary art there is so much advancement in this genre. Now this is not limited to the canvases. With the passage of the time and more development in art artists have the courage of exploring more and more or to do something out of the box.

“For many contemporary artists, landscape painting is an old world preoccupation at best, or else simply a commercially viable subject because of its popular appeal. However, this may be an unfair generalisation, for indeed ‘a thing of beauty is a joy for ever’ and more importantly, for any genre of art, be it a realistic landscape or an abstract painting, skill and sincerity of purpose invariably determine its intrinsic value.” (Rustic art: Eulogising landscapes)

Ustad allah bakhsh (1875-1978)

He learned painting from private mentor Ustad Abdullah, he is the pioneer of landscape painting in the early years of Pakistan’s independence. He works in the European-style realistic landscape. He developed keen interest within the Western-style painting with a lot of precise perspective and proportion; suggesting deep thought of realism and worked in oils and on large-scale canvases, a way that transferred to the sub-continent from Europe. His painting depicts punjab’s agrarian life and settings of romantic folklore. In his painting figures and landscapes both are equally prominent.

Anna Molka Ahmad (1917-1995)

She established department of finearts in Punjab University in 1940. She studied painting, sculpture and design at St. Martin School of Arts in London. It was also eventually opened to male students. Anna Molka Ahmad’s was an impressionist painter which had a romantic tinge of local landscape in them. Her works are characterised by a signature impasto technique, vivid palette.

Zubaida Agha (1922-1997),

Who was trained in an arts studio in Lahore and after some time Mario perlinguire, His ideas of focusing on the concept rather than imagery gave her new approach to the painting. And later from Europe, did abstract and semi-abstract modernist cityscapes and landscapes.

Moyene Najmi (1928-1998)

Moyene najmi also painted abstract landscapes in the cubist tradition. He was one of the initiators of the Lahore Art Circle of the 1950s – a group inspired by abstract painting under Shakir Ali.

Khalid Iqbal (1929-2014)

Khalid iqbal is the most influential and important landscape painter of the country. He taught and inspired many of the country’s landscape painters who devoutly followed his style. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Arts, London, where he met Sir William Coldstream, pioneer of the ‘Euston Road style’ – known for naturalism and a realist style of drawing. Iqbal was very much influenced by him. Iqbal, painted many excellent portraits and still life paintings in the earlier part of his long career but later he devoted himself wholly to landscape painting. He brought about a remarkable change in the principle of observation of nature and its interpretation with colours. As a painter and teacher he encouraged direct observation and on-spot painting. Though there was no formal movement or a manifesto, his ardent followers began referring to what is termed as the “Punjab School of Landscape”! “He introduced modern realism in landscape painting of Pakistan.” His students includes many famous painters of Pakistan such as; zulqarnain haider, Aslam minhas, Ghulam rasul.

Among Khalid Iqbal’s understudy and supporters Zulqarnain Haider (1939), Ghulam Mustafa (1952), and Nazir Ahmed (1952) have painted in the Punjab School, steadfastly taking forward Iqbal’s custom.

Haider, whose great Punjab scene arrangements painted in acrylic – a medium he depends on in view of clinical reasons – is the most senior of scene painters from that age.

Nazir Ahmad has widely painted Lahore and provincial zones in the region.

Ghulam Mustafa has painted Lahore’s downtown, and various pieces of Pakistan in pastel, oil and acrylic.

Ghulam Rasul (1942-2009)

At first he was following the detailed painting but later propelled by the uneven forms of Islamabad and of the Northern Regions of Pakistan and accomplished increasingly oversimplified works of art.

Ijaz-Ul-Hassan (1940)

Paints rearranged and adapted residential nurseries trees and growth.

Shahid Jalal (1948)

He has painted private gardens and public areas in thick paint.

Zulfiqar Zulfi

Painted city and rural environments in verity of mediums.

Colin David (1937-2008)

He is another Slade School graduate, though He is best known for his figurative work, painted modernist, sleek and smart landscapes.

Zubeda Javed (1937-2015)

Is another painter who did semi-abstract cityscapes and landscapes.

Musarat Mirza (1941)

Musarat mirza paints scene of Sindh. Her monochromatic works in oil and watercolors pass on a specific feeling of devastation and depression or emptiness.

Kaleem Khan (1958)

Kaleem khan centers on the rough yet grand scene of Baluchistan. Khalid Iqbal’s motivation goes in a new direction from Khan’s work – as he puts on canvas Baluchistan’s tremendous scene, its light and shadows, and atmosphere. The infertile slopes or get Winter Mountains have a dry white tinge unique in relation to the grays of Iqbal’s winter

Dr. Ajaz Anwar (1946)

He is a broadly regarded educator, painter and Lahore enthusiast. His strong water shading cityscapes catch the abundance of the memorable city and furthermore save Lahore’s pioneer legacy.

Iqbal Hussain (1950)

Iqbal hussain paints Lahore’s walled city, offering visual experiences into the layered existence of that quarter and encompassing regions.

Raheel akbar javed

He started in 1960’s. The identity of his work was multi layered painting. His minimalist architecture and daring use of colors were wonderful.

Qudus Mirza (1962)

workmanship pundit and now leader of NCA’s expressive arts office, known for his post-innovator maxim, likewise enjoyed exemplary Punjabi scene painting in his profession when he was affected by extraordinary Khalid Iqbal.

Rahat Naheed Masud (1953)

Has painted fields and bumpy regions concentrating on how light fluctuates in various landscapes.

Mughees Riaz (1971)

Mugheez riaz has created photogenic scene creations. His compositions of cows are especially wonderful. Ajab Khan’s wonderful canvas of DI Khan’s environmental factors additionally records the view of his old neighborhood.

A portion of the contemporary specialists are utilizing it in an alternate way.

Imran Qureshi’s (1971)

His work amalgamates with the encompassing scene of his establishments like his work at Aga Khan Historical museum, Toronto.

Ali Kazim (1979)

Works with devastation and delineates abandoned authentic remnants, drawing motivation from Harappa and other more established human advancements in Pakistan.

Atif Khan (1972),

A print maker makes both land-and dreamscapes by taking various components from smaller than usual composition and structural plans.

Warda Shabir

She is a young artist who has begun utilizing growth and gardens in her work.

Evolution of impression in landscape painting and their analysis

Impression usually varies because of the artist’s training. In Pakistan after the separation of indo-pak, International influences arrived due to approach of different schools of study. Analysis of paintings from classical to modern landscape will state the development of impressions in landscape painting of Pakistan.

Classical landscape:

In a classical landscape the positioning of objects was contrived; every tree, rock, or animal was carefully placed to present a harmonious, balanced, and timeless mood. The classical landscape was perfected by French artists Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain.

This painting is by ustad allah bakhsh.

He usually made the classical landscapes. More connected to Pakistani rustic people.

This painting is depicting the rural life of Pakistan. Male members are working in the field. There dress called ‘dhoti kurta’ and environment is showing the rich culture of rural Pakistan.

Medium of the painting is oil paint.

Colors are bright is this painting. Like blue green yellow orange, ochre, napel and white all these colors are very soothing to eyes.

Variety of lines are used in this painting straight line to create the horizon and curve in the form of trees, people and things around them like plants and container type pots. Horizontal and vertical lines are used as mud house in the background.

Strocks of the brushes used in the trees are creating a blurry effect which associates you to the feeling of airstream.

This painting is by Ana molka ahmed the pioneer of fine art department in Punjab university.

Her paintings were famous for its impasto technique. The technique in which paint is laid on an area of the surface in very thick layers, usually thick enough that the brush or painting-knife strokes are visible.

In this painting building of Punjab University College of art and design is showing.

Massive brush strokes are used in this painting.

Horizontal, vertical and curve lines are used to paint the details of building and trees.

Texture of the painting feels so rough.

Cut composition is used in this painting which provokes the viewer eye to travel the whole painting.

Though the building is little diagonal but foreground and trees on the right and left side of the painting is creating balance.

Colors of the painting are very fresh and bright like chrome green, sap green, Indian red and blues etc.

Sunlight is coming from the right above side which can be detected by look at the shades on the left side of the painting such as shadow of the tree on the ground. so there’s mild chiaroscuro.

Modern landscape:

“Ustad allah bukhsh and ana molka ahmed frequented Lahore because of its creative energy. Exhibitions and seminars took place regularly, stimulating innovations and critical dialogue and bringing international influences that inspires the younger generation to think outside the box, artists like moyenne najmi, anwar jalal shamza and pervaiz ahmed amongst them”. (ZUBEIDA AGHA)

Modern landscape is the discovery of different ground breaking techniques in the landscape painting. Many modern artists like moyenne najmi, zubeida agha, ali imam and many more did landscape painting in a modern way.

“The timely arrival of Shakir Ali in Lahore worked as a catalyst for the already fueled minds. Previous art platforms like Punjab Society and new established ones like Lahore Arts Council were dominating by the conservative approach. On contrary the younger artists were energetic, ambitious and were in no sync with the old school or style. Considering the changing realities of his contemporary times Ali Imam joined hands with other modernist souls like Moen Najimi, Shemza and Ahmed Pervez and thus formed a group called the Lahore Art Circle.” (cheema)

“Her images of landscapes and people are simplified forms made with a variety of vibrant colours reminiscent of both fauvism and Rajput miniatures”. (Zubeida Agha – pioneer of non-traditional pictorial imagery)

This painting is by zubeida agha titled urban landscape.

She is the pioneer of modern art in Pakistan.

She used intense colours in this painting to express the depth of meaning to this art piece. Cobalt blue, caroline, Persian blue, burnt amber, orange and grey etc.

Abstract elements like palm trees and blue leaves provokes the viewer into thought.

Variety of lines is used in this painting like diagonal, horizontal, vertical and curve etc.

Repetition of element is creating harmony to this painting.

This is two dimensional painting. Therefore there’s no chiaroscuro in this.

This painting is by ali imam titled murree hills.

This depicts site of murree. Colors which are used in this painting are purely hills site colors such red huts these huts are the prominent feature of murree hills.

Abstract elements are used in this painting like these unrealistic trees.

Ali imam was much inspired by paul cezzane eye view point. “Standing at Cezanne’s ‘view point’ thinking with his eyes he let the Color play an equal role, as his brush strokes, in commanding us filling our eyes and mind.” (cheema)

Curve lines are making these complicated looking roads which usually can be seen in the hills sites. Straight vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines can also be seen in the details

These strokes are creating some sort of design in the whole painting and make it look more interesting.

The study of light makes it look like a cold weather area. Chiaroscuro is high as the shadows on trees are dark.

Conceptual landscape:

Zubeida javed had introduced the conceptual landscape in her paintings.

This painting is by zubeida javed.

She was a conceptual painter. Her landscape is based on modern art and semi abstract painting.

Color palete is so loud. She used very bold and bright color in her painting lots of yellow, green, little bit of red and bluemake it very versatile.

She used paper and palate knife for her paintings to give it the joyful texture

Viewer can easily get that the painting is representing a landscape of hill station because that diagonal line in the foreground. Straight lines are depicting the trees.

The use of palate knife is beautifully done and it creates beautiful Square shape strokes which helps the viewer eye to move all over the painting.

The painting is two dimensional yet creating depth due to the use of colors.

This painting is by mussarat mirza. And purely is an abstract painting.

Painting is depicting a bridge side and a tree under this.

It gives the feeling of lonliness and emptiness.

Colors are dull in this painting like greys and blues. It creates the feeling of devastation.

The light in this painting helps the viewer to look deep into it and understand the site. Reflection in the water and the light on the sides of towers and under the bridge is creating depth.

Strokes of the brush make it look like a reflection like color washes on the canvas.

Modern realism landscape:

The term modern realism is applied to painting or sculpture created since the development of abstraction in modern art but which continues to represent things in a realistic manner.

This painting is by Khalid iqbal.

He introduced modern realism in Pakistan through his landscapes.

Khalid Iqbal’s colour scheme is generally muted and mostly hazy. But his yellow summer

Amaltas set the viewer’s soul on fire.

The subject of this painting is slums sites

A closer look at this paintings reveals the use of a wide range of hues, including other brighter strokes.

Khalid Iqbal’s strokes are Impressionist but the product is real-life landscape.

His paintings have layers of paint that give shape and form to his objects.

The soft slanted strokes transform into freshly cut foreground grass, crops or a morning sky.

Khalid paints this painting with oil paint on canvas

The painting is representing the cultural value of Pakistan.

Beautiful colors scheme. Its size is 24”*30”.

He Used lots of greens, blues, tint of red and ocher.

Zulqarnain color palate is very cool and refreshing. He balances all the shapes and color in very good way.

The painting speaks about his understanding landscape.

Texture houses, cows, grass and trees are painted very beautifully it’s creating very powerful impact on viewer.

His technique of painting with small strokes helps haider to create the texture of grass in a very excellent way.

Haider use acrylics on board.

Shadows are painted very well with cool blues tone.

Conclusion:

History of landscape painting defines that the ground breaking efforts of pioneer artist helps the generation of young artist to learn more and grow within the society to assure that there is no limit to art. Landscape painting of Pakistan has the wide history which contains incredible artists. And each one of them explores landscape painting in their own style. Young artists took courage and started working under their inspiring styles and respectably follow their legacy but now the post modern era landscape painting is not in.

“For various reasons classic landscape painting is not much in vogue these days. These include the current experimental trajectory in contemporary Pakistani art, trends in the visual art market both domestic and external and not much importance given to classic landscape painting by leading art academia among others. Despite all that a beautiful mountain in Pakistan’s North, desolate desert in the South, rocky terrain, village life, cityscape or a mundane wayside puddle should keep inspiring our artists and writers. Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary for their viewers is certainly well within the ability of masters like Khalid Iqbal and his ardent followers. And the legacy will endure.” (tarar)

In every genre of art Pakistani artists made their work noticeable which inspires the world. Many of Pakistani artists exhibit their work all around the world. Landscape painting of Pakistan research made it clear that each Pakistani artist has unique flavor. With the emerging time painting transformed into different styles. Expression colors to beautiful texture and semi abstract approach to classical every style is beautifully done.