Background History of PaintingsPre- historic and stone age finds have been discovered in the remote areas of Myanmar. Among these rare finds are stone age paintings found in the Pyadalin cave in the Taunggyi district of Shan State. There are nine cave paintings in brown colours at a height of about 10 to 11 feet on the cave walls. Mural Paintings Bagan era In the 11th century, Myanmar traditional painting was derived from India culture in Bagan and floral patterns were the feature of these murals. The development of mural painting coincided with the strengthening of the Buddhist religion during this era, thus religious themes are showcased. There were no mural paintings depicting the social lives of the people though the lifestyles of the Bagan people can be understood through these paintings. In the 17 th century during the Kone Baung Era, the Bagan mural paintings moved away from the parla or Indian influence and developed into more of a Myanmar style. Inwa era Mural paintings from the Inwa era, between the 16th and 17th centuries, can be found in the Shwesigon pagoda, Mee Pauk pagoda, and in caves at the Phoewun Hills in the Monywa district. Paintings of this era mark the end of Myanmar traditional flat painting. In the Cularmani pagoda, the upper parts of the mural paintings depict stories and the lower parts depict the social life of people living in the Inwa era. Only red and green paints were used in Inwa mural paintings. Earlier Konbaung era (17th century) Mural paintings from the earlier Kone Baung era can be found in the Aungmyay Lawka pagoda, the Yokesone Illustrated pagoda, and the Pyathat pagoda of Khin Mon village, Chaung 00 Township, Monywa. These paintings can also be found at the Ananda Brick monastery of Bagan. The paintings mark the transition from Myanmar traditional flat painting to western styles of perspective and tones. Blue was generously used and the paintings recorded the life styles, entertainment and scenery of that era. Amarapura Era Mural painting of Amarapura era can be found in Taungthaman Kyauktawgyi pagoda, Amarapura and Shwesaryan Phocalar pagoda. Scenes in these paintings were not drawn in perspective, but in a bird's eye view. Most of these paintings depicted the life styles and social activities of this era and includes activities such as paying homage to the 1 The most famous of are thirty one palm-leaf paintings called lokakunchur. traditional line sketches still remained intact. Blue was the dominant colour in these paintings. which could be coiled. The influence of the two Italian artists meant that the western style of painting began to penetrate Myanmar traditional style. and Saya Chon. Cloth and paper were used for painting as well as parchment. gaza (style of depicting elephants. However Saya Sa became blind. Kapi (technique of drawing apes and the like. paintings during the Yatanabon Era were predominantly Myanmar influenced. But in some monasteries palm leave drawing and parchment paintings remained intact despite through the chaos. military maneuvers. which began during the Inwa era. monastries and rest house. showcasing drawings of Vutsandra Jataka and Heaven. a great number of pagodas. Royal 2 . compared to other eras. After his death. Ancient Myanmar artists of Myanmar only drew sketches on the palm leaves." and "Partawmu (Dethronement). along with the palm-leaf sketches. keeping Sabbath.pagoda. The Palm Leaf Painting In olden days. Jatakas. was employed as the royal artist together with two Italian artists. They are therefore also called chronicle paintings. which formed the basic principles adopted by the artists of ancient Bagan. There were four kinds of painting. There were two kinds of parchment. reached its zenith in the Konebaung era. horses. black and white. But. stupas. life stories of Buddha. and royal ceremonies. There are also fifteen Myanmar palm-leaf and parchment paintings on exhibit in the British Museum. The paintings are the forerunner to books because they generally recorded important events of the royal court in words or pictures. but incomplete paintings show line sketches in red. Although the western style began to penetrate Myanmar paintings. a pupil of U Kyar Nyunt." Up until the Yadanarbon era. and children playing. Myanmar people used palm leaves as writing paper. fish. Parabeik (or Parchment) painting Parchment painting. martial arts. Myanmar artists blended their own paints and made their brushes themselves. flowers.) During the colonial period and the second world war. and they wrote with a pointed style on the strips of a palm leaf. Two remarkable paints produced by Saya Chon were "Royal ceremony of ploughing. pilgrims traveling in carts and boats. nari (portrait drawing of men). White parchment had thirty two pages and the paintings included renderings of elephant and horses. Some are now displayed in the National Museum of Myanmar. A factory producing indigo had been established in the Konbaung era.). the traditional Myanmar style of painting started to decline. Yatanabon Era The most famous artist of this era is U Kyar Nyunt who served as a royal artist to King Mindon. were destroyed by fire or air-raid. people giving alms to monks. London. so blue was generously used. Parchment painting is regarded as the second stage of traditional Myanmar Art. maps and ground plans. The most famous parchment painting. But annexation by the British in 1885. his son Saya Sa was made a royal painter by King Thibaw. etc. They are kanote (floral curlicues). Currently Myanmar contemporary art is more in the impressionist style. western style art began to spread in Mandalay. and such paintings are considered records of royal life. Several other artists also became popular during colonial period. Contemporary art also flourished during the 20th century. an artist noted for his great work was U Saya Aye. He developed an innovative style in Myanmar oil painting with strong brush strokes. U Ba Zaw (1891-1943) also became renowned for both traditional style and western style paintings. including U Ban Nyan (1897-1945). He was the first Myanmar artist able to exhibit his works abroad and whose paintings were printed and sold in Germany. The Art under Colonialism ( 1885-1945) During the colonial era. Singapore and other neighboring countries. When Saya Aye became famous for his traditional sketches. 3 . one of his contemporaries was U Maung Gyi. a sailor who studied art in Europe and who had more of a western style. the artist who introduced realism and impressionism to Myanmar in the 1930s. Due to influence of U Maung Gyi. who introduced impressionism to Myanmar. decorated straw art and candle arts without violating realism or Myanmar traditional techniques. U Ngwe Kaing (1901-1967) was the most zealous artist in the effort ton improve his workmanship. His traditionalized contemporary artworks are often exhibited in London. His paintings of King Kosala's sixteen point dreams still hang on the side walls of Kyauktawgyi pagoda. In the later years of colonialism. Parchment paintings of great events were drawn on pieces of paper and folded as a single parchment. He studied art at the Yellow Gate Art School in England. Myanmar artists are now endeavoring to work in many diverse forms and techniques. and most Myanmar artists stood out because of their modern works. His Htan Yeik Nyo gallery holds monthly exhibitions every year and many visitors can explore Myanmar fine art. U Lun Gywe is considered the master of drawing in both for realism and contemporary arts. Among them was U Paw Oo Thet who combined traditional and modern techniques in his works. Today art movement The contemporary 70-year-old artist U Lun Gywe is Myanmar's foremost and the most respected impressionist. He was excellent in transparent water color. two artists who were able to handle the water color skillfully were U Thant (1896-1982). Saya Saung was awarded a gold medal in 1967 for his outstanding work. the last royal artist of the Konebaung dynasty during the reign of King Thibaw. Another modern impressionist is U Myo Khin from Mandalay. and his remarkable art captured international attention. He was the son of artist Saya Aye who was widely known for his portraits and paintings about the life stories of Lord Buddha. He is the owner of the Mandalay Htan Yeik Nyo gallery where top artists meet and share their love of arts. In 1927 the government sent him to study at the Royal Institute of Art in England.Excursion drawn by U Kyar Nyunt is no longer in Myanmar and is exhibited in the National Museum of England. He studied art under the close guidance of Saya Chon. Captain Thomas Heath of the Allied Army bought ten of Saya Saung's paintings and wrote an article titled of The Renaissance of Myanmar Watercolor Paintings in an English periodical during the Second World War. Among the younger generation. Some by use various media such as bottle art. and Saya Saung (1898-1952) who became known as prince of watercolor. The entire scene can be viewed when the parchment paintings are spread out. Another painter who exuded fine workmanship was U Saw Maung. His strokes are very bold and strong yet he expresses delicate feelings in a meaningful paintings. Min Wae Aung is one of the moist successful and internationally recognized artists. His teacher was U Than Han who studied under U Ba Nyan.