Ted Burt, Kim Nam, Dabin Choi

Art of South and Southeast Asia After

1200 AD

South & Southeast Asia

South Asia Pakistan India Tibet Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh

Southeast Asia Cambodia Myanmar Thailand Vietnam Laos Burma Indonesia Malaysia

Buddhism Pala dynasty ( c. 750 – 1199)

The principal Buddhist centers concentrated in the northeast region

Tantric (Mahayana) Buddhism Visualized deities Precise iconographic details

Theravada

Mahayana

Later collapsed in late 12th century

Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (12th century)

Distinguished from a Buddha

Princely garment

Presence of lotus flower

Crown of “parent” Buddha

Third eye

Wheel on his palm

Posture of royal ease

Formalized image

Jainism Mahavira ( c. 599-527 BCE)

Tirthankaras

- Purification

- Life of austerity

Private forms of artistic expression

- Sacred text illustrations rather than building temples

- Western Indian Jains (Gujarat); Illustrated manuscripts

Kalpa Sutra (1375-1400)

Illustrated manuscripts the explicates the lives of the pathfinders

First Jain manuscript on paper (instead of palm leaf)

Depicts the birth of Mahavira

Use of Gouache producing vibrant, energetic color and sense of divinity

Hinduism

Dominant religious tradition of India

- Building programs -> rapid development of Hindu temples

- Evolution of well-formulated regional styles (1000 CE.)

- Monumental with complexity and grandeur of proportion

- Kingdom of Vijayanagar ( c. 1336-1565)- Viewed themselves as defenders and

preservers of Hindu faith and culture

Art of India

Temple at Madurai

Fervent expression of Hinduism

Founded around the 13th century

Complex expanded through 17th century

Modern renovations

Dedicated to the goddess Minakshi

At the center of the City of Madurai and a central focus of Madurai life

There are now 11 Gopuras

Largest is over160 feet tall

(Outer Gopura of the Minakshi-Sundareshvara Temple)

Gopuras’ Statues

Every square inch of the gopuras is covered in figures such as this one

(Thousands of statues )

Each is an individual god

The statues get smaller as the gopura rises and becomes smaller

Very similar design between different levels

Displays the world of the gods

(The gopura has roots in the vimana, the pyramidal tower characteristic of 7th century southern temple style)

Golden Lotus TankGolden Lotus TankOuter Gopura of the

Minakshi-Sundareshvara

Temple

Mughal Period 1526–1858

Islam first touched the South Asian subcontinent in the eight century.

In 1206, Turkish dynasties ruled portions of subcontinent from Delhi Sultanates constructed forts, mausoleums, monuments, mosques

The Mughals came from Central Asia

Babur The first Mughal emperor of India Emphasized his Turkic heritage

Akbar The third emperor who extended Mughal control over most of

North India

Mughal Empire lasted until the last Mughal emperor was deposed and exiled to Burma by the British.

Mughal Architecture

Mughal architects were heir to traditional Islamic buildings in India.

Forts housing government and court buildings

2 fundamental Islamic structures Mosque and tomb

Construction based on arch and dome Decorative and structural elements from other

countries Indian, Persian, Central Asian elements

Cenotaphs are tombs/monuments to someone whose remains are actually somewhere else.

Buland Darvaza (The Lofty Gate)

Buland Darvaza (The Lofty Gate)

Commissioned by Akbar, an ambitious patron of the time

At the mosque Jami Masjid

Inscription dated 1601 following Akbar’s successful return from the Deccan

Gateway is dignified in proportions but monumental in scale (rises 150 feet above road)

Gate built on a high plinth leading to a central courtyard

Islamic style architecture

Review the Key terms

Minaret - Tall spires with a conical crown.

Iwan - A vaulted hall, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open.

Sahn - A courtyard found in traditional mosque, surrounded by an arcade.

Mihrab – A semi-circular niche in a wall which indicates the direction to qibla.

Mausoleum – An external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the burial chamber of a deceased person.

Probably the most well known structure in India

Built between 1631 and 1648

Made of red sandstone & white marble

Commissioned as a mausoleum for the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan

Full of Muslim Influence

Minarets at each corner of platform

Reflecting pool and gardens cover an area of 1000 by 1900 feet

Divided into quadrants with trees and flowers

Geometrically patterned walkways

Perfect geometric symmetry and proportions.

Taj Mahal

Minarets

Minarets

Reflecting Pool

Mausoleum

Gardens

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Writings from the Quran are inlaid in black marble around the doors

Spandrels inlaid with jewels that form flowers and natural designs (those are the parts between the door arch and the box with the Quran writing)

4 octagonal chattris transition into the domes of minarets

Iwans and bulbous tops attribute to weightless appearance

Taj Mahal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnmrOLOQDA8&feature=related

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Selimiye Mosque (Mosque of Selim)

In the city of Edrine, Turkey.

Ottoman mosque Commissioned by

Sultan Selim II

Islamic Architecture Minarets Main dome and Semi-

domes Pointy Arches

Hagia Sophia Byzantine period

Ordered by emperor Justinian.

Temple – Religious reason

In 1453, conversion into mosque

Islamic features

Minarets

Dome and arch entrance

Symmetry and balance

Mughal Painting

Emperor Akbar – great promoter of the arts Control over solidification of Mughal Empire

and creation of Mughal art Humane, dynamic, and just Mughal leader Created an imperial atelier (workshop) for

painters

Combination of Persian art and Indian art Transformed Persian styles into more vigorous

and naturalistic

Technique- Indian painting on

paper Introduction of paper

Indian artists adapted painting techniques form Persia – produced jewel-toned works of surpassing beauty on paper

Fill outlines with thick washes of opaque unpopulated color.

Painting in the Court of Akbar

Paintings depicted Akbar’s own life and accomplishments. Akbarnama – Book of Akbar, the official

chronicle of the reign of Akbar. Illustrated manuscript of Hamzanama

Hamzanama – The legendary adventures of Hamza (Persian classic)

Hamza – The uncle of the prophet of the Islam

Jahangir in Darbar Gouache painting on paper

Gouache – Mud painting. Opaque, dries quickly and very amenable

Jahngir was the emperor of the Mughal empire.

Emperor in the center, holding an audience at court (Darbar)

Sense of loyalty to their emperor

Symmetrical format

Virgin and Child Enthroned

Duccio’s Virgin and Child in Majesty.

Audiences (Angels, Saints and Saints of Siena) are divided along central axis.

Symmetrical format – Composition was topped by pinnacles

Unrealistic size – Focus more on Symbolism Predella was depicting the event sin the childhood of Jesus.

Rajput Painting

Northern India was governed regionally by local Hindu princess – Rajput warrior clans.

Very artistic, supportive to painters. Influences of Indian painting style.

More abstract and poetic than Mughal arts Many arts were about myth and poetry.

Bhakti The Hindu devotional movement. Inspired poetic literature Gita Govinda –poems about love between God and

humans

Luxury Arts – Panel from a Box

Metalwork in precious metals as well as carvings in crystal, agate, jade, and ivory are all characteristics of Indian art.

Because of the base value of their materials, many Indian pieces have been melted or reworked to be sold at a higher price.

Late 17th-18th century, Ivory with Gilded paper, 6 x 123/8 x 1/8 inches, Nayak Dynasty, Timil Nadu

http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Collections/South_Asian_Art/Indian,_Tamil_Nadu,_possibly_Madurai_80_171.aspx

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

Roman sculpture on Sarcophagus.

Columns are dividing the scenes.

Decorative and expressive

Roman sculpture

Imperial Christian period. Religious Scenes Old/New Testsments

Ramayana Scene Indonesia experienced Hindu

revival (8th-9th century)

Early 14 century, Java (Indonesia)

Depicts Hindu epic the “Ramayana”

Javanese version of illustrative stone relief

Reduced modeling and increased rhythmic surface ornamentation

Western Influence - Modern

British East India Company controlled India throughout the 17th and 18th centuries

British Government began to rule directly in the 19th century Mercantile interests overwhelmed the native

culture

British artists hired to do work in India

Mixing of cultures

Sir Edwin Lutyens The capital of India changed from Calcutta to New Delhi

in 1931 This city had been founded shortly before 1911 Lutyens was appointed joint architect for New Delhi Intentionally built with Western-style and Indian-style

ornamentation Develops the Delhi Order based on Roman Doric

Viceroy’s House Draws models from Classical antiquity as well as modern

models such as Washington D.C.

India Gate

Originally “All India War Memorial”

India Gate

Arch of Constantine

Barrel-vaulted arches

High pedestals.

Decorative sculptures/columns all over the place.

Depiction of Constantine’s victory in battle with Maxentius Sculptures symbolize

Constantine’s power and generosity.

Arc de Triomphe

1806 – 1836

In France, Paris. Honors those who fought

and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars.

The names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.

Underneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

Bharat Mata (Mother India)

Artist strives to reflect ethnic origins

Deliberately rejects oil painting and academic realism of Western art

Draws from format and technique of Mughal painting

Invents nationalistic icon drawing from Hindu symbols

Abanindranath Tagore, watercolor on paper, 1905,

26.7x15.3 cm

Modern Indian Art Gandhi Bhavan

Gandhi Bhavan Punjab University, Chandigarh,

North India

1959-1961

Used for lectures and prayer

Designed by Indian Architect B. P. Mathur and Pierre Jeanneret

3-part pinwheel plan and abstract sculptural qualities reflect the International style

Robust combinations of angles are like Sanskrit letterform

Pools surrounding it are like Mughal tombs

Dharma and the God

Striking new impression of Indian heroic figures

Manjit Bawa Silkscreen and oil

painting artist Juxtaposes

illusionary models of figures and animals against flat backgrounds 1984, Manjit Bawa, oil on canvas,

216x185.4 cm

Art of Nepal & Tibet

Tantric Influence

Tantric Buddhist art can be traced in the regions of Nepal and Tibet

Artistic expression of esoteric Buddhist ideals

Inlaid Devotional Sculpture Statue of Maya

Tangka Painting Buddhism caught on late in Tibet but is now the

center of the religion The “Achala”

Maya, Mother of Buddha,Holding a Tree Branch

Buddha comes out of Maya’s side while she holds the legendary tree branch

Regal costume Fluttering scarves, elaborate

jewelry, and an impressive crown all inlaid with jewels, pearls, and a variety of semi-precious stones

Tree also inlaid with jewels

Figures rise from a pedestal shaped to suggest the blossoming lotus Reference to Buddha’s purity

Buddha

18th century, 22 inches tall, Nepal,

Gilt bronze & inlaid precious stones

Achala from Central Tibet

Achala, the Immovable is the deity in the center

Characteristic kneeling pose

Atop a lotus platform

Right hand wields a sword as his left makes the gesture of menace while holding a lasso

From a group of wrathful deities called krodha vighnantaka - enable practitioners to overcome obstacles

Geometic – Tantic Buddhism

Repeated representations of deities

19th Century, gouache on cotton, 291/2 x 225/8

inches,

Theravada Buddhism

In Northern Burma (11th-13th century) , rulers raised religions monuments in the Pagan plain

Followed Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism

Classic statement of Theravada ideals in bronze sculpture of Buddha

Shwe-Dagon Stupa (Pagoda)

Golden Dragon

Terrace (Burma), 15 century

Established Rangoon by Mon rulers

Pagoda – E. Asian reliquary tower built with smaller, repeated stories

Lotus elements symbolizing Buddha’s purity

Center of Theravada devotion

Decoration in gliding & precious stones

Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness Thailand, Sukhothai kingdom

13-14 century

Bronze sculpture depicting Buddha

Iconography & stylistic features with a few elegant lines

Buddha’s cranial protuberance interpreted as a flame of divine knowledge

Eloquent hand gesture - Mudras

Gesture of Pressing the Earth

The right hand pressing the earth to bear witness.

The position of the left hand symbolizes meditation.

Gesture of “touching the earth” or “calling the earth to witness”

Mudras- (sign)

Vietnamese Ceramics from Hoi

An Hoard 15th-16 century

Wide spread Vietnamese potters

Painted in underglaze cobalt blue

Embellished with overglaze enamels

Impressive variety of ceramic forms shipped out throughout Southeast Asian and Beyond

Modern Vietnam Paintings

The influence of Vietnam War Communism Propaganda

Picture Bibliography

http://www.travel247.tv/india/sri-meenakshi-sundareswarar-temple-madurai

http://www.destination360.com/europe/france/paris/arc-de-triomphe

http://jacobmetcalf.net/renderDiary.php?dir=india&file=india2

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal_in_March_2004.jpg

http://www.fotopedia.com/items/jmhullot-tcOXXf5Nm8g

http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/svision/i22.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puerta_de_la_India_2.JPG

http://www.ascensiongateway.com/blog/spiritual/2006_10_01_spirit.html

http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Collections/South_Asian_Art/Indian,_Tamil_Nadu,_possibly_Madurai_80_171.aspx

http://www.world-mysteries.com/gw_mgray4.htm

http://old-master-bawa.blogspot.com/

Picture Bibliography http://www.artnet.com/Images/magazine/reviews/stern/stern10-4-5.jpg http://radhikaranjanmarxist.blogspot.com/2010/09/early-history-mahajanapadas.h

tml http://sacredsites.com/asia/burma_myanmar/rangoon.html http://www.buddha-images.com/subduing-mara.asp http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/mudras.htm http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/503287

4130_933f8d5f4c_z.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/iprahin/5032874130/&usg=__VirWHl5HGArsU4XPJoa5jhTdtZs=&h=480&w=640&sz=229&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=5cKCXE3ni6glM:&tbnh=162&tbnw=215&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBuddha%2BCalling%2Bthe%2BEarth%2Bto%2BWitness%2Bclose%2Bup%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D815%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=156&ei=nTf9TK9D42lnQeR25XJCg&oei=nTf9TK9D42lnQeR25XJCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&tx=131&ty=123

http://artdefinesus.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/did-etruscan-art-inspire-disney/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/26612863@N00/2873457274/ http://khanhhoathuynga.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/hinh-ảnh-trục-vớt-cổ-vật-tau-

dắm-cu-lao-cham-hoi-an-hoard/ http://v-s-gopal.sulekha.com/blog/post/2009/11/magnificent-sculptures-in-ancient-

prambanan-temple.htm