The Arts of India Virgina Museum Of Fine Arts

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The austere dignity of a Jain Thirthankara sculpture to the rich colors of Rajput Paintings, the Indian collection at the Virgina Museum of Fine Arts represents the scope of Indian art at its most expressive. Widely regarded as one of the finest in the United States, this collection was established in 1968 when funds provided by Paul Mellon enabled the Museum to purchase more than a hundred paintings, sculptures, textiles, and decorative objects from New York art dealer Nasli Heeramancck. Today , the collection of more than 215 carefully selected objects presents a striking survey of Incdian art from ancient times to the early 20th century. The publication of The Arts of India makes these works of art available to national and international audiences. Many beautiful and historically important objects are published here for the first time along with newly discovered information about specific works. Opening essays introduce India and its people, with special emphasis on the development of major religions and the dominant role of religion in art and life.

Also included is a summary of the signs, symbols, and images developed to express religious concepts. Each of the four major areas of the catalogue - sculpture, painting, decorative arts, and textiles - begins with an introductory essay. Individual catalogue entries provide an analysis of the historical, aesthetic, and cultural significance of each object together with documentation of its provenance, exhibition, and publication history.

Texts and inscriptions appearing on works of art are translated in the entries; transliterations and scientific and technical studies of selected works appear in appendices. Written in clear, evocative prose, this comprehensive catalogue offers a vivid picture of Indian art and culture that will engage both scholars and general readers. Dr. Joseph M. Dye III is the E.Rhodes and Leona B.Carpenter Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art at the Virgina Museum of Fine Arts. Studying under the late Dr. Stella Kramrisch, one of the pioneering scholars in the field of Indian art, he received his doctorate in the history of Indian and Southeast Asian art at the Institute of Fine Arts, Newyork Univiersity. The Arts of India is the culmination of years of curatorial research, travel, and commitment to the study and presentation of Indian art. Linguistic scholars Richard J. Cohen and Warren E.Fusfeld have transliterated and translated texts and inscriptions that appear on the objects in the Museum's collection. Dr.Cohen received his doctorate in Oriental studies( with specialities in Indology, Sanskrit, Prakrit, and medieval Indo-Aryan Language) from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Fusefeld holds a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania with specialization in Indo - Islamic history and Middle Eastern languages(including Persian, Arabic, and Urdu).

Contents:

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgement
Formation of the Collection
A note to the reader
Map

Introduction: Indian religion and Art

The Catalogue

Part One: Sculpture

Introduction
Chapter 1. Sculpture of the Pre-and Protohistoric, Maurya, Shunga, and Early Andhra Periods
Chapter 2. Sculpture of the Kushan and Later Satavahana-Ikshvaku Periods 
Chapter 3. Sculpture of the Gupta Period
Chapter 4. Sculpture of Kashmir and Adjoining Regions
Chapter 5. Sculpture of Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa
Chapter 6. Sculpture of Central India, Rajasthan, and Gujarat 
Chapter 7. Sculpture of South India
Chapter 8. Sculpture of the Deccan

Part Two: Painting

Introduction
Chapter 9.  Early Painting
Chapter 10. Mughal Painting
Chapter 11. Painting in Rajasthan
Chapter 12. Painting in Central India
Chapter 13. Painting in Punjab Hill
Chapter 14. Painting in the Deccan Folk and Village Painting
Chapter 15. Company Painting and Folk and Village Painting

Part Three: Decorative Arts

Introduction
Chapter 16. Metalwork
Chapter 17. Nephrite, Rock Crystal, and Other Hardstones
Chapter 18. Arms and Armor
Chapter 19. Jewelry
Chapter 20. Glass
Chapter 21. Ivory and Mother-of-Pearl

Part Four: Textiles

Introduction
Chapter 22. Silk Textiles with Woven Patterns
Chapter 23. Wool Textiles with Woven Patterns
Chapter 24. Cotton Textiles with Mordant-Worked and Dyed Patterns
Chapter 25. Embroideries
Appendix 1. Transliterations of Texts and Inscription
Appendix 2. Technical Studies
            Glossary
            Bibliography
Appendix 3. List of Exhibition

Glossary
Concordance
Bibliography
Photography Credits
Index