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Asian Art > Art of India: Hindu Art and Islamic Art > Flashcards

Art of India: Hindu Art and Islamic Art Flashcards

1
Q

General Info on Hinduism

A

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

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2
Q

Shiva and Shaivism

A

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

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3
Q

Vishnu and Vaishnavism

A

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

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4
Q

Devi and Shaktism

A

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)

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5
Q

Identify

A

Boar Avatar of Vishnu Rescuing Earth, Cave 5, Udayagiri

stone

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6
Q

Boar Avatar of Vishnu Rescuing Earth, Cave 5, Udayagiri

Stone

A

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)

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7
Q

identify

A

Vishnu Temple, Deogarh

early sixth century

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8
Q

Vishnu Temple, Deogarh

early sixth century

A

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

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9
Q

Identify

A

Visnu on the Cosmic Waters, Vishnu Temple, Deogarh

early sixth century

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10
Q

Vishnu on Cosmic Waters, Vishnu Temple, Deogarh

eary sixth century

A

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

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11
Q

Identify

A

Cave Temple of Shiva, Elephanta

mid-sixth century

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12
Q

Cave Temple of Shiva, Elephanta

mid-sixth century

A

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

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13
Q

Identify

A

Shiva as Mahedeva, Cave 1, Elephanta

basalt

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14
Q

Shiva as Mahedeva, Cave 1, Elephanta

basalt

A

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

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15
Q

Identify

A

Rock-cut Temples, Mamallapuram

second half of seventh century

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16
Q

Rock-cut Temples, Mamallapuram

second half of seventh-century

A

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

17
Q

Identify

A

Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho

c. 1000

18
Q

Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho

c. 1000

A

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

19
Q

Northern Style Hindu Temple

vs.

Southern Style Hindu Temple

A

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

20
Q

Identify

A

Shiva Nataraja,

Bronze

21
Q

Shiva Nataraja,

Bronze

A

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

22
Q

Identify

A

Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion

opaque watercolor

23
Q

Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion

Opaque Watercolor

A

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

24
Q

Identify

A

Gopura, Great Temple, Madurai

17th Century

25
Q

Gopura, Great Temple, Madurai

17th Century

A

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

26
Q

Identify

A

Bichitr, Jahangir Preferrig a Sufi Shaykh to Kings

opaque watercolors

27
Q

Bichitr, Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaykh to Kings

opaque watercolor

A

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

28
Q

Identify

A

Taj Mahal

Agra

29
Q

Taj Mahal

Agra

A

‘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

Asian Art (3 decks)

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