The painters in the Mughal atelier were also masters of art making colours. Three of the following were natural sources of the pigments they used. Which is the odd one out?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Agate
Option (1) Cinnabar — A source of colour. Vermilion was obtained from cinnabar.
Option (2) Lapiz Lazuli — A source of colour. Ultramarine came from Lapiz Lazuli.
Option (3) Agate — Not a source of colour. Agate is a gemstone used to burnish the finished painting, to set the colours and give it radiance.
Option (4) Orpiment — A source of colour. Bright yellow was obtained from orpiment.
NCERT (2026-27): “Colours and Technique of Mughal Painting The painters in the atelier were also masters of art making colours. Mughal paintings were made on handmade paper, which was prepared especially for this purpose. The colours were opaque and were obtained from natural sources by grinding and mixing pigments to obtain perfect shades of colours.” “Colours and Technique of Mughal Painting …Once the painting was complete, agate, a gemstone, was used to burnish the work to set the colours and give desired radiance to the painting. Some of the pigments and colours achieved from those were — vermilion from cinnabar, ultramarine from Lapiz Lazuli, bright yellow from orpiment, shells grounded for making white and lampblack from charcoal.” |