1. Chapters 9 and 23: Indian Art AP Art History Magister Ricard
2. Key Concepts Indian art stresses connection between all the major arts (architecture, painting, sculpture) Buddhism and Hinduism form major influences into thought and art of India Ancient culture with many diverse languages
3. Historical Background Based around the Indus and Ganges river valleys Due to abundance of resources, became a highly contested area 18 official languages – Hindi is only spoken by about 20% of the population Diverse geography and religious followings as well
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5. Historical Background The earliest civilization, the Harrapa, flourished ca. 2600-1900 BC Synchronous with Old Kingdom Egypt, Minoans, Ur and Babylon from Mesopotamia Notice the importance of a river?
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7. Patronage of Art in India Rulers were generous patrons Architecture and public sculpture used to enhance civic life and propaganda Art is interconnected; monuments are meant to unify in their vision Artists work as a team under an artist leader that wants to realize a cohesive vision Uniformity of style Artists were trained as apprentices
9. Hinduism and Art Kind of a mish-mash of religions from India Polytheistic, folk beliefs run alongside complex philosophical schools of thought Infinite variety of the expression of the Divine The Vedas are the sacred texts, written in Sanskrit Makes mention of the caste system (Brahmins are priestly class at highest social point)
10. Hinduism and Art Goal is to break the cycle of rebirth Karma and Dharma Shiva – god of destruction and rebirth, Cosmic Dancer Parvati – consort of Shiva Brahma – creator god Vishnu – god of preservation, order, law, associated with water Lakshmi – consort of Vishnu, goddess of wealth
11. Hinduism and Architecture The temple is the residence of the god (compare to Greek and Roman temples) Interior cella is referred to as “womb of the world” Contained sacred statue for priests and attendants Preferred corbelled vault to the arch Hypostyle hall (congregation) precedes antechamber (ceremonies)
12. Hinduism and Architecture Temples were found in a temple complex Northern India features more vertical elements with towers Southern India features concentric gated walls (Cambodia) Temple exteriors are completely covered with sculpture (horror vacui)
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17. Hinduism and Painting Excelled at painting miniatures, illuminating texts Popular theme is the life of Krishna Crowded scenes with lots of color Perspective is tilted upwards Figures proportionally small compared to landscapes, rendered carefully Use of floral patterns to fill up negative space
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19. Hinduism and Sculpture Integrated with sculpture; buildings thought of as sculpture Mithuna – divine couples appear on exteriors and above doorways Stress sexual union as expression of fertility, creation Organic and geometric designs with curved lines, dancing poses To touch an image is to touch the god Darshan is experience of invocation of deity Puja is ritual offering to deity
25. Buddhism and Art Buddha, obtained enlightenment under the bodhi tree, rejects the world of illusion Prince Siddhartha left royal court and lifestyle behind Life is pain, pain is belief in illusory world Endless cycle of birth and rebirth (Samsara) Assuming unification with the supreme deity is main focus, deny outside stimuli is sign of enlightenment
26. Buddhism and Art Rich iconography Lion – symbol of royalty Wheel – Samsara, Buddha’s law, cycle of birth Lotus – purity, esoteric symbol based on its behavior
27. Buddhism and Architecture Principal place of study/worship is the stupa Mound shaped shrine with no interior, is a reliquary and grants spiritual power through close proximity Worshippers ascend staircase and follow clockwise direction – the direction of the sun Features three umbrellas and four toranas (points of the compass)
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29. Buddhism and Painting/Sculpture Much uniformity despite spans of space and time Depictions of Buddha usually seated, compact pose, seated in lotus position Drapery treatment depends on region Usually frontal with nimbus/halo Features helpers or bodhisattvas who postpone nirvana/enlightenment to help others Uses hand gestures called mudras
30. Buddhism and Painting/Sculpture Artists usually depicted male figures (yakshas) and female figures (yakshis) Nature spirits, syncretized into Buddhism from native religions Figures are rendered to stress masculine/feminine features
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36. Art of South and Southeastern Asia After 1200 Chapter 9 and 23
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41. Summary Very diverse region yet unified artistic visions Arts were unified into one large monument and vision of a leading artist Both Buddhist and Hindu temples follow a mound shape Exterior spaces feature horror vacui, which has sculptured elements piled on top of each other to cover any negative space Human figures tend to be rendered sensually
Editor's Notes
Three jewels are the Buddha, the Law, and the Monastic Order of priests.
