Indian art, horses and attitudes Flashcards
Orientalism
The fetishization of the East by the West, peaking during colonial periods. Edward Said’s book Orientalsim describes the Western imperial adgenda to stereotype a generalised East portraying it as backwards and it’s cultures as impenetrable warrenting knowledge gathering whilst facillitating Western domination, with a current of racial superiority.
What were some of the artworks that were misunderstood and heavily judged and criticised by Western travellers?
Shiva sometimes depicted as half man half woman, as it sybolises the sacred union of Shakti and Shiva, great gods and lovers. Erotic immagery also commonly judged, as well as figures with human animal components or multiple arms. Ganesha- one of the most revered deities in the vast Hindu pantheon has the head of an elephant and the body of a human. Western recreations of the deity were greatly innacurate and mocking.
Romanticism of Indian Archetecture
Once European travellers discovered Indian Archtecture they greatly romantisised and even attempted to claim it was inspired by the ancient classical architecture of the Greeks. For example, the ghats of the river Ganges were painted by William Daniell and eventually became full of tourists who didnt understand the immense spiritual significance of that river to Hindus- the practice of spreading ashes there in order to be purified for the afterlife.
Why was the orientalism of India complex?
The attitudes of Europeans twoards Indian art would flit between disgust, revoltion even to the artworks then awe and wonder at the architecture. Unwilling to credit Indian minds and crafters, not considering any of it fine art.
Ayyannar horse
Fierce horse as it’s the mount of a protected deity, teeth bared without a stirrup as it is a votive symbol.
What are the two origin myths of horses
1) The churning of the Ocean by Gods and anti-Gods outchurned horses, which were the Great Treasure.
2) Horses were divine winged beings, that had their wings removed and were banished to earth as punishment.
How do Horses reinforce caste?
This painting reflects caste because the Rajasthan Elite horse towers over the groom of the lower caste.
Horse trade- Mughal Empire
Was at large all over India, a key staple of India’s economy. Rajasthan rulers wanted Rajasthani horses as a symbol of status and prestige. The Mughal Emperor Akbar was constantly depicted on horseback on coinage to show his mastery of the powerful wild beast. He has portraits of himself sitting calmly over fighting elephants.
What is a Vyala?
Leonine/elephantine highly stylised creature in Hindu Art, they prey on elephants and are sometimes dvarpalas, or door guardians for temples. They are so fierce they cannibalise elephants.
Horses as symbols of divine prestige: Give specific example
Emporer Jahangir, Great Mughal emperor Akbars son and Nur Jahan’s husband is depicted on the back of a horse guiding him to the Holy Relm, a divine king with a divine steed. Interestingly, this specific type of horse is depicted in multiple paintings suggesting it’s own unique importance as a horse of specific merit (Black and white pieball horse) . Shah Jahan ( Taj Mahal creator) is painted with a spear pointing to the heavens and a golden halo around his head, his steed also being lavishly dressed in draping beads and feathers.
What is the Mughal practice Mansabdar?
The Mughals also brought with them an entirely horse-based way of life in the form of a system called mansabdar where the Emperor’s officials were ranked and paid by the number of horses and elephants they kept. Horses were frequently gifted to cement strategic relations of all kinds. Elite nobles were required to parade daily on horseback, to excel at hunting, racing and horse sports such as tent-pegging and polo.
