Art of India: Hindu Art and Islamic Art Flashcards
General Info on Hinduism
arrives about 600 years after Buddhism begins
complex; Hinduism is not based on one teacher, prophet, etc.
literally means, “religion of Indians”
mythology very complex, has over 3000 deities
believe that life is suffering, caste system, and continuous reincarnation cycles
stop cycle of reincarnation by appeasing the gods with sacrifices
linga: fountain in Hindu temple with the protrusion coming out, symbolizing Shiva’s phallus
has enormous appeal; Buddhism dies out in India around 500 AD
Hindu cave site are places of worship and where the gods come down to earth; Hindus will build these sites very close to Buddhist sites
Shiva and Shaivism
many arms, dancing male God
God of destruction, but out of this comes order, growth, regeneration
very supernatural in powers
matted locks on head, ride bull, sometimes carries trident
Vishnu and Vaishnavism
has many avatars; preserver of the universe
when things go bad, Vishnu saves the day
will often hold conch trumpet
restores balance; takes different forms like fish, tortoise and boar
sometimes seen as Krishna (divine lover) dancing on serpents head
Devi and Shaktism
female deity
has different name depending on whether she is consort of Vishnu (Lakshmi) or Shiva (Parvati)
also represented by figure of Durga (multiarmed figure on line; very powerful)
Identify
Boar Avatar of Vishnu Rescuing Earth, Cave 5, Udayagiri
stone
Boar Avatar of Vishnu Rescuing Earth, Cave 5, Udayagiri
Stone
Varaha (Boar avatar)
ocean swallowing those who survive above; Vishnu rescues them from this fate;
Devi is rescued by Vishnu by grabing one of his tusks (she is standing on head of snake king)
various Hindu deities and sages look on
sculpture is the prsence of the deity and has a mystical, supernatural power as the embodiment of the deity
some possible political overtones: Chandragupta II put down rival factions and he was controlling the chaos (perhaps a refrence to his political feats)
identify
Vishnu Temple, Deogarh
early sixth century
Vishnu Temple, Deogarh
early sixth century
free standing temple, taking blocks of stone and forming symmetrical square base capped with flower
each of the 4 sides will have sculptures of Vishnu; interior is guarded by special forces
priests alone can go inside the temple, gateway going in is only on one side
Identify
Visnu on the Cosmic Waters, Vishnu Temple, Deogarh
early sixth century
Vishnu on Cosmic Waters, Vishnu Temple, Deogarh
eary sixth century
often shown reclining (Shiva is often shown active) or seated on throne
associated with snakes
Brahma seatd on lotus coming out of navel
Vishnu gives birth; role of wife is to massage his legs to make him feel better
cosmos is very chaotic; deities calm waters , defeat demonic forces, constantly dealing with good vs. evil
Vishnu is seated on the coils of a snake
Identify
Cave Temple of Shiva, Elephanta
mid-sixth century
Cave Temple of Shiva, Elephanta
mid-sixth century
numerous cave sites on island, both Hindu and Buddhist
Hindu caves in shape of mandala
columns lift within the carving; they are engaged, not free standing with lotus capitals
reference to Shiva: phallic linga with eroticized images of Shiva
mystical/supernatural quality embued in the structure with the outside sundrenched and the inside of the cave as dark
Identify
Shiva as Mahedeva, Cave 1, Elephanta
basalt
Shiva as Mahedeva, Cave 1, Elephanta
basalt
Mahedeva: Lord of Lords
represents Shiva in 3 manifestations: one in front is almost meditative, left side=grimancing male figure; right side=feminine manifestation that is more divine
duality with deities; forceful, benign lifegiving etc.
these aren’t just sculptures but the gods live within them
yakshi/yaksha figures within cave
Identify
Rock-cut Temples, Mamallapuram
second half of seventh century
Rock-cut Temples, Mamallapuram
second half of seventh-century
cut out of free standing mass of rock standing in sand; cut out of one rock not assembled out of individual rocks
Shiva, Vishnu (curved roof) and Lakshmi
rathas: chariot/vehicle for the gods
each of the temples is a ratha
dharma raja: chariot dedicated to Shiva
Identify
Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho
c. 1000
Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho
c. 1000
dedicated to Shiva
found in N. central part of India
starts at the entrance and height of columns culminates in the tallest column
erotic elements of this temple: sensuality and eroticism as part of Hindu art
laid out on longitudinal east-west axis
mandapas (chambers) guide the worshipper through the temple
image of deities is housed in the Holy of Holies and only priests are allowed to go inside; they occasionally bring out the sculpture
Garbha griha: womb chamber; holiest place in temple; only priests allowed inside
Northern Style Hindu Temple
vs.
Southern Style Hindu Temple
in the north, the mandapas are capped by shikhras, leading to the garbha griha
in the south, flat top roofs over mandapas; main tower is stepped in, not curved
Identify
Shiva Nataraja,
Bronze
Shiva Nataraja,
Bronze
sculpture of deity will be brought out to worshippers by priests
figure in mobility, with motion; conveys energy and dynamism
solid cast bronze sculpture, not hollow cast
Shiva as Lord of Dance: symbolic of act of destruction combined with act of creation
he is shown dancing on top of ignorance
holds drum and flame, symbolizing destruction and creation
flames are projecting from the halo; displays a mudra of no fear
Identify
Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion
opaque watercolor
Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion
Opaque Watercolor
india was rulled by regional dynasties at this point
Mogul will dominate good poriton of India, but some parts will maintain local control
looks like Persian tradition but with Hindu themes
Krishna is associated with Vishnu (cowherder with flute)
Blue man=Krishna
Bahkti: divine love,divine favor
lightening streak represents sexual excitment
Identify
Gopura, Great Temple, Madurai
17th Century
Gopura, Great Temple, Madurai
17th Century
Built by the Naiaks who wanted to preserve Hinduism in south India
many towers built in this city, occassionally stepped in
exterior is encrusted with painted sculptures which need to be repainted every 12 years
extremely brilliant vibrant colors
serves as a pilgrim site as well as for local congregations
bathing pools for ritual purification
stepped in flat top towers = S. Temple Style
sensuality displayed on outer walls
Identify
Bichitr, Jahangir Preferrig a Sufi Shaykh to Kings
opaque watercolors
Bichitr, Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaykh to Kings
opaque watercolor
painting presents a vertical hierarchy with artist at the very bottom bringing gifts; then western political ruler; then turkish sultan; but Jahangir gets his wisdom from a Sufi Shaykh
Jahangir sits on hourglass throne, meaning he transcends time, is eternal
characterized by geometric patterns in the background, caligraphic Persian script,
opaque watercolors on paper typical of Islamic Art
after applying paint, they would put the painting face down on marble and press the paper against it, polishing front side of painting; they would put finer linear details on at the end and embloss with thin gold layer
artist would paint seated with one knee up and put paper on board on knee
Identify
Taj Mahal
Agra
Taj Mahal
Agra
‘Crown Mahal’
Shah Jahan wanted to memorialize his favorite wife when she died in childbirth
flanked by two pavilions in red stone
Taj Mahal is located at the end of the gardens
includes 4 minarets surrounding the Taj Mahal
underlying mathematical organization; width=height
surrounded by fruit trees (life) and cyprus trees (death)
elements of ritual bathing present; dome is the symbol of paradise
gleaming white marble patterns with lacy ornamentation giving a sense of lightness to the building
to lighten, facade is also broken up with arched niches
Islamic tomb tradition includes circle dome on square base, but here it was made into a more rounded, octagonal shape
hidden staircases lead up to the 2nd and 3rd stories; exterior matches interior
Shah Jahan is also buried here
Pavilions are in red sandstone; like using pointed arches
