Thanjavur painting is a classical South Indian painting style, which was inaugurated from the town of Thanjavur. The art form draws its immediate resources and inspiration from way back about 1600 AD. Tanjore paintings are done on wooden panels characterized by rich and vivid colors, simple iconic composition, glittering gold foils overlaid on delicate but extensive gesso work and inlay of glass beads and pieces or very rarely precious and semi-precious stones.