The Intelligence of Tradition in Rajput Court Painting - Hardcover

Aitken, Molly Emma

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300142293 ISBN 13: 9780300142297

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2010

Synopsis

The genre of Rajput painting flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries in the kingdoms that ruled what is now the Indian state of Rajasthan (place of rajas). Rajput paintings depicted the nobility and court spectacle as well as scenes from Krishna’s life, the Hindu epics, and court poetry. Many Rajput kingdoms developed distinct styles, though they shared common conventions. This important book surveys the overall tradition of Indian Rajput painting, while developing new methods to ask unprecedented questions about meaning.

Through a series of in-depth studies, Aitken shows how traditional formal devices served as vital components of narrative meaning, expressions of social unity, and rich sources of intellectual play. Supported by beautiful full-color illustrations of rare and often inaccessible paintings, Aitken’s study spans five centuries, providing a comprehensive and innovative look at the Rajasthan’s court painting traditions and their continued relevance to contemporary art.

About this title

About the Author:

Molly Emma Aitken is assistant professor of Asian art at The City College of New York.

Review:

Winner of the 2012 Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Book Prize, as given by the South Asian Council of the Association for Asian Studies.--South Asian Council of the Association for Asian Studies"Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Book Prize" (03/16/2012)

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0300142293
• ISBN 13: 9780300142297
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352