Basawan

Place: India

Biography:

Basawan, or Basāvan (flourished 1580–1600), was an Indian miniature painter in the Mughal style. He was known by his contemporaries as a skilled colorist and keen observer of human nature, and for his use of portraiture in the illustrations of Akbarnama, Mughal Emperor, Akbar's official Biography, which is seen as an innovation in Indian art. Little is known of the life of Basawan. He became a court painter for Akbar, where he came under the influence of Abd al-Samad. Only four artists have been commented on in the Ain-i-Akbari. It includes Sayyid Ali, Abd al-Samad, Daswanth and Basawan. Basawan's son Manohar Das succeeded him as a court painter. His family still lives in their heritage home in Kala Mahal, Agra. Currently, the family is holding a manufacturing and export business of handmade carpets (Diamond Carpets).