Saturday, February 26
10:00 a.m.–noon PT
Speaker: Joan Cummins, Lisa and Bernard Selz Senior Curator of Asian Art, Brooklyn Museum
Virtual Event
From the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries, most of northern India was under the rule of the Mughal empire, but regional kings maintained some control over their traditional domains. Many of these kings were Rajputs, celebrated for their prowess in warfare, their staunch support of Hinduism, and the impressive architecture of their capitals. Among the Rajputs there were some who patronized large workshops of artists producing very colorful, very elaborately detailed illustrated manuscripts depicting life at court, Hindu epics, and poetic themes.
Through beautiful images, this talk will introduce the Rajputs and the arts they patronized, with an emphasis on manuscript paintings. We will look at the ways that Rajput rulers used art as a way to promote specific ideas about their power, their traditions, and their position in relation to the ruling Mughal emperors, and later the British. The talk will touch on the ways that the paintings were made and used, and will include some choice examples from The San Diego Museum of Art’s Edwin Binney collection of manuscript illustrations.
Please reserve your spot by clicking on this link. All participants will be sent the Zoom link and instructions via email once you secure your place. Space is limited.
Free for active South Asian Arts Council (renewed for 2021-2022) and SDMA members | $10 for all others
Sponsored by the South Asian Arts Council.
Featured at top right: Maharaja Ram Singh of Kota, mid-19th century, Rajasthan. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Brooklyn Museum, 81.192.7.
