Which one of the following was not a feature of the art of painting in India in the 19th century?

The correct answer is Option D.

During the 19th century, the distinction between elite and popular art narrowed rather than widened. The introduction of mechanical reproduction techniques, such as lithography and oleography, allowed artworks to be mass-produced. Prints from presses made art affordable and accessible to the common people, blurring the traditional divide between elite patronage and popular consumption.

Other major features of 19th-century Indian art include:

• Open Market: With the decline of court patronage, artists produced paintings for the open market (e.g., Kalighat and Company styles).
• Artist vs. Artisan: Influenced by Western academic education, a professional distinction emerged between the fine artist (Shilpi) and the traditional artisan (Karigar).
• Oil Painting: The technique of oil painting was widely adopted and developed by Indian artists like Raja Ravi Varma to create realistic depictions.