Indian Mica Paintings

Mica is a name given to a group of minerals. They are all sheet silicates forming distinct layers. They are fairly light and and form flexible sheets.

From the eighteenth century portrait miniatures were produced for the British in the Mughal style. Sets of pictures were made by local artists especially for them. In addition to portraits, sets of pictures were produced depicting the various occupations and costumes of the local people. The ninetenth century created a new demand from British residents. They were often used as teaching aids for the new British immigrant and later became reminders and souvenirs of their colonial home.