Wall paintings as an art genre enjoyed great popularity in India. In the 16-17th cent. they underwent a vigorous revival and played an important role in the decoration of the royal palaces, in the homes of the noble and rich, in temples and cenotaphs. Unfortunately the inveterate Indian custom of periodically 'renovating' the decoration of homes and temples by repainting them or drastically erasing parts of them, is leading to the destruction of important works of art from the past. The aim of the present book is also to document the serious damage caused to this India artistic heritage. The research, which covered more than 40 monuments, most of which unpublished or else published only in learned journals, aimed at tracing theri stylistic and iconographic evolution. The often detailed description the author has given of the paintings brings the reader into contact with the world of Indian culture and society, which is thus 'narrated' directly and immediately.
