The Great Mughals: natural paint at the V&A

Colour played a central role in The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, a landmark exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, where Edward Bulmer Natural Paint provided a richly pigmented backdrop to some of the finest examples of Mughal art and craftsmanship.

Held from 9 November 2024 to 5 May 2025, the exhibition celebrated the extraordinary artistic achievements of the Mughal court between 1560 and 1660, bringing together rare paintings, manuscripts, textiles, carpets and precious objects.

We were delighted to support the V&A with a carefully considered palette of natural paint colours, chosen to complement the remarkable objects on display.

Celebrating the art of the Mughal court

Founded in 1526 by Babur, the Mughal Empire became one of the most influential powers in South Asian history, leaving an extraordinary artistic and architectural legacy.

The exhibition explored the cultural achievements of three emperors – Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan – whose courts supported exceptional creativity and craftsmanship.

More than 200 objects revealed the richness of Mughal artistic traditions, from intricately illustrated manuscripts and richly coloured textiles to precious stones, metalwork and decorative objects.

The exhibition also explored the exchange of artistic ideas between Hindustani, Iranian and European craftspeople, demonstrating the remarkable range of influences that shaped the art of the Mughal court.

A rich palette inspired by art and history

The exhibition’s extraordinary objects called for a backdrop that would complement their colour and craftsmanship without overwhelming them.

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colours were used throughout the exhibition, including Pompadour, Azurite, Invisible Green, Flaxen Grey and Tyrian.

From deep blues and greens to rich, expressive tones, the palette provided a setting for the intricate paintings, textiles and precious objects, allowing their extraordinary detail to take centre stage.

The relationship between wall colour and artwork is particularly important in an exhibition setting. The right shade can enhance the presentation of an object, establish a particular atmosphere and help visitors experience a collection as a whole.

Why natural paint works beautifully in galleries and museums

When designing an exhibition, the finish of the walls is just as important as their colour.

Our natural wall emulsion has a flat matt finish, with approximately 2% sheen, helping to minimise distracting reflections and provide a consistent backdrop for artworks and objects.

Made using carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, our paints offer a rich and varied colour palette with a strong connection to historic decorative traditions.

Their water-based formulation and considered approach to ingredients also make them an appealing choice for projects where material selection and environmental impact are important considerations.

For The Great Mughals, these qualities helped create an exhibition setting in which the colour of the walls supported, rather than competed with, the objects on display.

Colour as part of the exhibition experience

The Great Mughals demonstrated how carefully chosen colour can transform the presentation of art and historic objects.

Whether in a museum, gallery or private collection, wall colour plays an important role in shaping how we experience a space. A deep, saturated shade can create intimacy and focus, while a more restrained neutral allows intricate details and materials to stand out.

We were proud to have contributed to this remarkable exhibition at the V&A, celebrating the artistic achievements and enduring legacy of the Mughal court.

Discover more about The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence in the V&A’s exhibition archive.

Explore our natural paint colours or learn more about the ingredients and pigments behind our paints.