Indian Art

by Mitter, Partha

• ISBN13: 9780192842213
• ISBN10: 0192842218
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-19
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This concise yet lively new survey guides the reader through 5,000 years of Indian art and architecture. A rich artistic tradition is fully explored through the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Colonial, and contemporary periods, incorporating discussion of modern Bangladesh and Pakistan, tribal artists, and the decorative arts. Combining a clear overview with fascinating detail, Mitter succeeds in bringing to life the true diversity of Indian culture. The influence of Islam on the Mughal court, which produced the world-famous Taj Mahal and exquisite miniature paintings, is closely examined. More recently, he discusses the nationalist and global concerns of contemporary art, including the rise of female artists, the stunning architecture of Charles Correa, and the vibrant art scene. The very particular character of Indian art is set within its cultural and religious milieu, raising important issues about the profound differences between Western and Indian ideas of beauty and eroticism in art.

Author Biography

Partha Mitter is Professor of History of Art at the University of Sussex. Currently a Visiting Scholar at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles, he also lectures around the world, notably Columbia University, Princeton University, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(4)
PART I BUDDHIST AND HINDU ART AND ARCHITECTURE (c.300 BCE-1700 CE)	5	(78)
Map	6	(1)
Introduction	7	(6)
Buddhist Art and Architecture	13	(20)
Hindu Art and Architecture	33	(38)
Minority Traditions, Ideal Beauty, and Eroticism	71	(12)
PART II INDO-ISLAMIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE (c.712-1757 CE)	83	(86)
The Turko-Afghan Sultanate of Delhi (1206-1526 CE)	85	(22)
The Mughal Empire (1526-1757)	107	(36)
Rajasthani and Pahari Kingdoms (c.1700-1900)	143	(14)
The Non-Canonical Arts of Tribal Peoples, Women, and Artisans	157	(12)
PART III COLONIAL ART AND ARCHITECTURE (1757-1947)	169	(32)
The British Raj: Westernization and Nationalism	170	(19)
Modernism in India	189	(12)
PART IV POSTCOLONIAL ART AND ARCHITECTURE (1947-2000)	201	(39)
Art After Independence	203	(18)
The Contemporary Scene	221	(19)
Notes	240	(14)
Timeline	254	(14)
Further Reading	268	(10)
Museums and Websites	278	(4)
List of Illustrations	282	(5)
Index	287