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Chapter 25Sultans, Kings, Emperors and

Colonists:The Art of South and Southeast Asia

after 1200

Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 12e

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Later South and Southeast Asia

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Goals

• Understand the early sultanate, dynasty and Persian influences in the art of the Mughal Empire.

• Understand the art and architecture of the indigenous Rajput kingdoms in contrast with the Mughal influenced art.

• Examine western artistic influence and Southeast Asian adaptation of western artistic media and concepts.

• Understand the artistic differences of Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam.

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The Early Influences

• Understand the early sultanate and dynastic influences in Mughal art.

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Figure 25-1 Qutb Minar, begun early thirteenth century, and Alai Darvaza, 1311, Delhi, India.

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Figure 25-2 Lotus Mahal, Vijayanagara, India, 15th or early 16th century.

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25.1 The Indian Mughal Empire

• Examine the art of the early sultanate and dynasty prior to the Mughal Empire.

• Understand the Persian influence in Mughal painting and the tradition of the miniatures.

• Examine the patronage of the Mughal leaders in art and architecture.

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Mughal Miniatures

• Understand the media, style, techniques and Persian influence in Mughal miniature painting.

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Figure 25-3 BASAWAN and CHATAR MUNI, Akbar and the Elephant Hawai, folio 22 from the Akbarnama (History of Akbar) by Abul Fazl, ca. 1590. Opaque watercolor on paper, 13 7/8” X 8 3/4”. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

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Figure 25-4 BICHITR, Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaykh to Kings, ca. 1615–1618. Opaque watercolor on paper, 1’ 6 7/8” x 1’ 1”. Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

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Mughal Architecture

• Examine the patronage of the Mughal leaders in architecture and the stylistic influences.

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Figure 25-5 Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1632–1647.

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25.2 The Hindu Rajput Kingdomsand the Nayak Dynasty

• Examine the tradition of Rajput painting, the artists, and how it differs from Mughal painting.

• Understand the Hindu subject matter of Rajput art.

• Examine the Hindu influenced architecture of the Nayak Dynasty.

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Rajput Painting

• Understand the format, material, subject matter and tradition of Rajput painting.

• Examine the similarities and differences of Rajput and Mughal painting.

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Architecture of the Nayak Dynasty

• Understand the Hindu influence in the Nayak Dynasty.

• Examine the great Gopura of the Madurai Nayak temple.

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The British in India

• Examine the influence of the British in Indian art and architecture.

• Understand the western pictorial and spatial devices adapted by Indian artists.

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25.3 Southeast Asia

• Understand the “golden age of Thai art” and the influence of Buddhism.

• Examine the art and architecture of Burma and its dedication to Buddhism.

• Understand Southeast Asian and Chinese influence in the art of Vietnam.

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“The Golden Age of Thai”

• Understand the “golden age of Thai art.” • Examine the distinctive Buddha images of

Thailand, such as the “walking Buddha” and the “Emerald Buddha.”

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Figure 25-11 Emerald Buddha, Emerald Temple, Bangkok, Thailand, 15th century. Jade or jasper, 2’ 6” high.

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The Art of Burma

• Understand the importance of Buddhist monasteries and monuments in Burma.

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Figure 25-12 Schwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar), 14th century or earlier (rebuilt several times). Stupa, gold, silver, and jewel encrusted, approx. 344’ high. Top of stupa, gold ball inlaid with 4,351 diamonds.

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Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia

• Understand the issues facing contemporary artists in Southeast Asia.

• Understand the indigenous art forms, their origins, history, and their response to the contemporary art market.

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Figure 25-14 MEERA MUKHERJEE, Ashoka at Kalinga, 1972. Bronze, 11’ 6 3/4” high. Maurya Sheraton Hotel, New Delhi.

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Discussion Questions

What are the various cultural and religious influences in the art of India?

Describe the formal elements, origins, artists and artist training related to the Mughal miniatures.

Why is the Indian Rajput art different from the art of the Mughal dynasties?

Why is the Sukhothai Walking Buddha unusual?