Manuscript illustrations were methodically conceived in thematic sets (each set comprising several loose paintings or folios). Each folio of painting has its corresponding text inscribed either in the demarcated space on the upper portion of the painting or on its reverse. The most important folio-page of the set would be the colophon page, which would furnish information regarding the names of the patron, artist or scribe, date and place of commission or completion of the work, and other such important details.However, due to ravages of time, the colophon pages have often gone missing.Considered as precious and valuable artifacts and also being portable, paintings were often gifted or were also exchanged as gifts between kings and courtiers.

In the context of manuscript illustrations, what is a colophon page?

A page furnishing details about the patron, artist, date, and place of commission or completion

Answer: A page furnishing details about the patron, artist, date, and place of commission or completion
A colophon page in manuscript illustrations contains essential details about the patron, artist, date, and place of commission or completion.

The most important folio-page of the set would be the colophon page, which would furnish information regarding the names of the patron, artist or scribe, date and place of commission or completion of the work, and other such important details. However, due to ravages of time, the colophon pages have often gone missing, compelling scholars to attribute missing particulars on the basis of their expertise. Being fragile pieces of artworks, paintings are susceptible to mishandling, fire, humidity, and other such calamities and disasters. Considered as precious and valuable artifacts and also being portable, paintings were often gifted to princesses as part of their dowries when they got married. They were also exchanged as gifts between kings and courtiers as acts of gratitude and traded to distant places. Paintings also travelled to remote regions with moving pilgrims, monks, adventurers, traders and professional narrators. Thus, for instance, one would find a Mewar painting with the Bundi king and vice versa.