Historical & Cultural Fine Art Commissions
I transform historical narratives and cultural motifs into textured, large-format acrylic and mixed media pieces for modern spaces.
The full 8x4 feet mixed media on canvas painting titled "Ajanta." This work is my experimental interpretation of the famous cave murals, focusing on the feeling of history, culture, and fragmented stories.
A detail from my painting "Temple of Light: Martand’s Eternal Flame." This section shows the clash of forces, with figures on horseback charging towards the temple, representing the historical conflict.
This video documents the process of creating my "Ajanta" painting. It begins with the initial drawing and shows how I build up layers of acrylic and other media to create the final textured, aged effect.
A detail from the "Ajanta" painting, showing the fragmented figures of dancers. I used a palette knife and mixed media to evoke the feeling of a weathered, ancient fresco.
Another close-up of "Ajanta," focusing on the texture and the way the figures emerge from and recede into the background.
A wider view of the "Ajanta" composition, showing the interplay between the figures, the checkered floor, and the abstract, decaying walls.
Here I am at work on the Martand Sun Temple painting during a national art camp in Kashmir. This shows the piece in its outdoor studio environment.
A horizontal crop of the "Ajanta" painting, highlighting the narrative flow across the large canvas.
A macro detail of the "Ajanta" canvas, showing the built-up texture and the interaction of different materials.
A detail of the figures on the right side of the "Ajanta" composition.
About Historical & Cultural Explorations
When I reinterpret historical subjects like the Ajanta cave murals, I do not aim for a clean reproduction. I build layers of acrylic and mixed media, using palette knives to replicate the fragmented, decaying quality of ancient frescoes. This texture gives the piece an immediate, visceral sense of history that feels grounded rather than static.
My work in this series is an attempt to bridge the gap between our current reality and the echoes of our past. I do not see history as a collection of static dates but as a living, breathing force. When I take on a large-format commission based on a historical theme, I begin with a deep dive into the context, similar to my process for the 'Martand’s Eternal Flame' painting.
The Process of Reinterpretation
For the Martand Sun Temple piece, created during a national art camp in Kashmir, I focused on the tension between the temple's grandeur and its destruction. I used fiery oranges and deep reds to convey the aggression of the narrative, contrasting this with the earthy tones of the temple architecture. My goal was to make the viewer feel the weight of what was lost.
Materiality and Texture
In pieces like 'Ajanta,' the physical surface is as important as the image itself. I use heavy body acrylics, mixed media, and impasto techniques to build up the canvas. This allows me to mimic the weathering of stone and the decay of ancient murals.
Commissioning a Historical Work
If you have a specific historical event, a cultural motif, or a family heritage story you want to see translated into a statement art piece, we start with a consultation. I need to understand the emotion and the narrative you want to capture. From there, I work on a composition that respects the history while adding my own expressive, abstract interpretation. Whether it is for a corporate lobby or a central wall in your home, I design these pieces to serve as focal points that spark conversation.
Abhijeet Patole
I am Abhijeet. My practice bridges my formal training at the Sir J.J. School of Art with a deep curiosity for the stories that shaped our landscape. Whether I am sketching in a remote camp in Kashmir or painting in my studio, I look for the truth behind the history.
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