Indian Art 2Indian Art 2

320- 1400 ACE320- 1400 ACE

Classical Period –Gupta Empire Classical Period –Gupta Empire 320-550AD320-550AD

Outpouring of science, Outpouring of science, literature, music and the literature, music and the visual artsvisual arts

It established the It established the iconography of Hindu and iconography of Hindu and Buddhist divinities. Buddhist divinities.

A more unified style:A more unified style: Buddah is now depicted in Buddah is now depicted in

human form , very serene, human form , very serene, with eyes cast down, averted with eyes cast down, averted from the world as if in from the world as if in meditationmeditation

Cloth very close to the bodyCloth very close to the body Open hand gesture-dharma Open hand gesture-dharma

chakra mudrachakra mudra ……Hinduism is on the riseHinduism is on the rise Sandstone statue of

preaching Buddha, fifth century ad. Archaeoiogicai Museum, Sarnath.

HinduismHinduism Represents Represents the god Shiva, the god Shiva, and Vishnu, and Vishnu, instead of instead of BuddhaBuddha

•Relief showing Vishnu -. Vishnu Temple.

•The thick and animated network of figures on a variety of levels,and the luminosity and sensuality of the high-relief sculpture are very striking.

VishnuVishnu Lord VishnuLord Vishnu represents the represents the

aspect of the Supreme Reality that aspect of the Supreme Reality that preservespreserves and sustains the and sustains the universe universe

He is generally symbolized by a He is generally symbolized by a human body with four arms. In His human body with four arms. In His hands He carries a hands He carries a conchconch (indicates that the Lord (indicates that the Lord communicates with his devotees communicates with his devotees with love and understanding ), with love and understanding ), a a macemace (denotes his energy ), and (denotes his energy ), and discusdiscus (he uses this weapon to (he uses this weapon to protect his devotees from evil. ) protect his devotees from evil. ) His front right hand is depicted His front right hand is depicted bestowing grace on His devotees.  .bestowing grace on His devotees.  .

He has a blue body and wears He has a blue body and wears yellow clothes. The Lord is shown yellow clothes. The Lord is shown standing on a thousand-headed standing on a thousand-headed snake (named Shesha Nag), and snake (named Shesha Nag), and the snake stands with its hoods the snake stands with its hoods open over the head of the Lord.  open over the head of the Lord. 

The two front arms signify the The two front arms signify the lord's activity in the physical world lord's activity in the physical world and the two back arms signify His and the two back arms signify His activity in the spiritual world activity in the spiritual world

BrahmaBrahma BrahmaBrahma is the is the HinduHindu god of god of

creation and one of the creation and one of the TrimurtiTrimurti,,

Brahma is self-born (without Brahma is self-born (without mother) in the mother) in the lotuslotus flower flower which grew from the which grew from the navelnavel of of VishnuVishnu at the beginning at the beginning of the universe. of the universe.

Another legend says that Another legend says that Brahma was born in water. Brahma was born in water. In this he deposited a seed In this he deposited a seed that later became the that later became the golden egg. From this golden egg. From this golden egg, Brahma the golden egg, Brahma the creator was born. The creator was born. The remaining materials of this remaining materials of this golden egg expanded into golden egg expanded into the Brahm-anda or the Brahm-anda or Universe. Universe.

Brahma is said also to be Brahma is said also to be the son of the Supreme the son of the Supreme Being, Being, BrahmanBrahman and the and the female energy known as female energy known as PrakrtiPrakrti or or MayaMaya..

ShivaShiva Shiva is called the Shiva is called the

Destroyer (of evil), but Destroyer (of evil), but has also the aspect of has also the aspect of regeneration. As regeneration. As destroyer he is dark and destroyer he is dark and terrible, .accompanied terrible, .accompanied by a train of hideous by a train of hideous demons, encircled with demons, encircled with serpents and necklaces. serpents and necklaces. He is also shown with He is also shown with reproductive power, he reproductive power, he is worshipped in the is worshipped in the form of the shivling or form of the shivling or shiva linga (lingam). shiva linga (lingam).

The dance of Shiva is The dance of Shiva is symbolic of the dynamic symbolic of the dynamic forces of creation and forces of creation and destruction, and the destruction, and the harmonious balance of harmonious balance of opposites.opposites.

Most images of the Most images of the dancing Shiva depict him dancing Shiva depict him with four arms, which with four arms, which represent the four represent the four cardinal directions of cardinal directions of space.space.

India (1000-1400)India (1000-1400) India-strong and expanding India-strong and expanding

(Buddhist and Hindu)(Buddhist and Hindu) Cult of Siva dominant (Siva Cult of Siva dominant (Siva

Nataraja Lord of the Dance- spoke Nataraja Lord of the Dance- spoke of creation and destruction)of creation and destruction)

Temples are shaped to represent Temples are shaped to represent the mountain residence of Sivathe mountain residence of Siva

Temples are lavishly decorated, Temples are lavishly decorated, strict rules of symbolismstrict rules of symbolism

Detailed, often erotic figures Detailed, often erotic figures decorated templedecorated temple

The Muslims would gain control of The Muslims would gain control of northern India at the end of the northern India at the end of the century and not allow the icon century and not allow the icon symbolismsymbolism

In Europe- the Middle Ages (dominance of the church), time of the crusades.

This bronze sculpture, This bronze sculpture, entitled entitled Shiva as Shiva as Nataraja (Lord of Nataraja (Lord of the Dance)the Dance) (about AD (about AD 1000), is one of a number 1000), is one of a number of sculptures of the Hindu of sculptures of the Hindu god Shiva made during god Shiva made during India’s Chola dynasty India’s Chola dynasty (10th century to 13th (10th century to 13th century). The sculpture century). The sculpture shows Shiva dancing shows Shiva dancing within a circle of fire. One within a circle of fire. One of the god’s hands holds a of the god’s hands holds a flame, while the other flame, while the other beats on a drum. His foot beats on a drum. His foot rests on the demon of rests on the demon of ignorance. ignorance.

Ganesha, son of Ganesha, son of Shiva, Hoysala Shiva, Hoysala Sculpture- 13Sculpture- 13thth centurycentury

Soft soapstoneSoft soapstone Ganesha is Ganesha is

worshipped as the worshipped as the lord of beginnings lord of beginnings and as the lord of and as the lord of obstacles obstacles ((VighneshaVighnesha), ), patron of arts and patron of arts and sciences, and the sciences, and the god of intellect and god of intellect and wisdom.wisdom.

Name: Kandariya Mahadeo TemplePlace: Khajuraho Time Period/Chronology: C.1000 A.D

•the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the best examples of temples preserved from the medieval

period in India.

Architecture Architecture 1000-11001000-1100

The main spire or The main spire or shikharashikhara rises 31 rises 31 m to depict Mount m to depict Mount Meru, the holy Meru, the holy mountain of Shiva mountain of Shiva and is surrounded and is surrounded by 84 miniature by 84 miniature spires spires

Decorating the Decorating the sides of the temple sides of the temple are over 646 are over 646 statues statues

-Khajuraho extended over 21 sq. km and contained about 85 temples built by multiple rulers from about 950 to 1050. -its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration that Muslim conquerors generally inflicted on Hindu monuments. They were rediscovered in 1838 -Of the 85 original temples—most constructed of hard river sandstone—about 20 are still reasonably well preserved. Both internally and externally the temples are richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and, at times, sexually explicit.

Many of the side panels depict Shiva in the presence of apsaras, consorts, and other divinities. These erotic figures do not span the whole temple and are not to be found among the 226 found inside

Meanwhile over in the West-1000-Meanwhile over in the West-1000-11001100

On 15 July 1099, the armies of On 15 July 1099, the armies of the First Crusade captured the First Crusade captured Jerusalem and massacred its Jerusalem and massacred its defenders to claim the city for defenders to claim the city for Christianity Christianity

88 years later, Saladin, the 88 years later, Saladin, the charismatic leader of the charismatic leader of the Muslim Near East, retook the Muslim Near East, retook the holy city for Islam. holy city for Islam.

Within three years, Richard the Within three years, Richard the Lionheart was leading the Third Lionheart was leading the Third Crusade. Yet, despite winning Crusade. Yet, despite winning several battles, he failed to take several battles, he failed to take Jerusalem. Jerusalem.

Europe-Basically a climate of political Europe-Basically a climate of political stability and economic expansion in the stability and economic expansion in the west due to national monarchieswest due to national monarchies

……STILL….STILL….

INDIA AND ISLAMINDIA AND ISLAM

Islam is expandingIslam is expanding India’s warring rulers left the door open India’s warring rulers left the door open

for the Islam religion to spread to for the Islam religion to spread to Northern IndiaNorthern India

Taking of Delhi on 1192- Muslim Taking of Delhi on 1192- Muslim domination in Northern India would domination in Northern India would remain for centuries remain for centuries ((founding of the Delhi Sultanate in 1193)founding of the Delhi Sultanate in 1193)

Hinduism still strong in Southern IndiaHinduism still strong in Southern India It took a century and a half to take over It took a century and a half to take over

India as it retreated southward.India as it retreated southward.

Northern Northern Muslim/Indian Muslim/Indian

ArtArt

The exotic art of Hindu and The exotic art of Hindu and Buddhist India was Buddhist India was considered Icons by the considered Icons by the Muslim conquerors, many Muslim conquerors, many temples were destroyedtemples were destroyed

The Mosque of Islam at The Mosque of Islam at Delhi was supplied by stones Delhi was supplied by stones taken from Hindu shrinestaken from Hindu shrines

Dominant feature is the Qutb Dominant feature is the Qutb Minar a great minaret begun Minar a great minaret begun in 1199 and conceived as a in 1199 and conceived as a tower of victorytower of victory

Inscriptions from the Koran, Inscriptions from the Koran, decoration traditional Indian decoration traditional Indian inspirationinspiration

India (1100-1200)India (1100-1200) N. India splits due to wars, facilitated Muslim N. India splits due to wars, facilitated Muslim

expansion-Muhammad Ghuri founder of expansion-Muhammad Ghuri founder of Muslim powerMuslim power

Religious freedom was basically allowed, they Religious freedom was basically allowed, they did not impose their religion on the Hindu did not impose their religion on the Hindu minorityminority

Sculpture, and some temples, destroyed due to Sculpture, and some temples, destroyed due to imageryimagery

Still Still Southern IndiaSouthern India remained until the 14 remained until the 14thth century- Tamil empire of Hindu Cholascentury- Tamil empire of Hindu Cholas

Architecture rich in detail- sculpture more Architecture rich in detail- sculpture more important than architectureimportant than architecture

Building very modest in scaleBuilding very modest in scale

Kesava Temple at Kesava Temple at SomnathpurSomnathpur

Location South West Of Bangalore, Karnataka

Consecrated In: 1268 A.D, Hoysala craftsmanship. Dedicated To: Lord

Keshava

Keshava (Krishna) temple was built in 1268 by the Keshava (Krishna) temple was built in 1268 by the Hoysala general Somanatha, during the reign of king Hoysala general Somanatha, during the reign of king Narasimha III. This gem of a building is the last, and Narasimha III. This gem of a building is the last, and best-preserved, of the major Hoysala temples. The best-preserved, of the major Hoysala temples. The entrance (East-facing) to the temple is framed by lathe-entrance (East-facing) to the temple is framed by lathe-turned columns. turned columns.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freemind/

KrishnaKrishna, surrounded by , surrounded by attendants, plays the attendants, plays the flute beneath a tree. flute beneath a tree. His dress and crown His dress and crown are richly ornamented. are richly ornamented. The typically The typically rococorococo (ornate and intricate) (ornate and intricate) manner of such manner of such sculptures makes the sculptures makes the Hoysala one of the Hoysala one of the easiest styles to easiest styles to recognize in Indian art. recognize in Indian art.

India (1200-1300)India (1200-1300)

As Muslim advances into India As Muslim advances into India Hindu and Buddhist artistic Hindu and Buddhist artistic traditions were on the declinetraditions were on the decline

Images were broken due to the Images were broken due to the erotic art of the Hindu religionerotic art of the Hindu religion

Surya Temple SW of Calcutta Surya Temple SW of Calcutta escaped their attentionescaped their attention

Meanwhile in the west…Meanwhile in the west…

Mongol invasion, of vast areas of Asia Mongol invasion, of vast areas of Asia and some of Europeand some of Europe

It is believed, they brought wares from It is believed, they brought wares from China but also the bubonic plagueChina but also the bubonic plague

We know it as the We know it as the BLACK DEATHBLACK DEATH or or BLACK PLAGUE or THE BUBONIC BLACK PLAGUE or THE BUBONIC PLAGUE PLAGUE (1/3 of Europe was wiped out)(1/3 of Europe was wiped out)

Ottoman Turks-14Ottoman Turks-14thth century- (from century- (from Antolia) brought down Constantinople-Antolia) brought down Constantinople-advance stopped in Samarkand advance stopped in Samarkand (Tamerlane)(Tamerlane)

Muslims still have a small part of Spain Muslims still have a small part of Spain in Granadain Granada

Surya Temple-Temple of the Sun-during the reign of Narasimhadeva 1238-64 -representation of the chariot of the sun-god Surya

It was conceived as the chariot of the sun god, Surya, carried upon twelve pairs of wheels representing the months, and drawn by seven horses representing the days of the week

Included seven sculptured horses of the god myth to draw it

One of the horses that draw the Sun's chariot Source:http://www.cmp.caltech.edu/~mcc/India/PictureShow/Puri.html

A wheel of the Sun's chariotA wheel of the Sun's chariot

A wheel of the Sun's chariot – the body of the temple was carried by 12 great wheels

Wall detail of the temple – Above the wheels erotic paired-off sculptures which have made the Temple notorious

The king, on an elephant, being presented with a giraffe sent by an African king

Surya Deva himself, with his charioteer and horses below his feet

India 1300-1400India 1300-1400

Mostly under Islamic reign, so we Mostly under Islamic reign, so we will cover the art under Islamic art will cover the art under Islamic art latter on in the semesterlatter on in the semester