Cobbler, Patna
Late 19th to early 20th century
Mica painting

The Museum’s collection of mica paintings represent aspects of traditional Indian lifestyle and people engaged in various occupations, such as the cobbler depicted here. Mica sheets have a smooth, polished and reflective surface. These paintings from the Patna School are executed on mica sheets the size of a postcard, using paint, which was mixed with a binding material, and applied by a thin brush. Mica paintings were popular among the European visitors to India, who purchased them as souvenirs.