Buddhas, Gods, Emperors, and Conquerors: Indian Painting From the 6th Century to Present

3 units

This course aims to provide students with considerable knowledge about specific paintings and artistic trends in South Asia, as well as basic knowledge of South Asian religion and history. The course engages in critical analyses of the painting traditions of a range of sacred (Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, Islamic) and secular (courtly and popular) South Asian cultures from the sixth century AD to present. The course utilizes paintings to investigate the cultures that produced them, paying special attention to the religious, historical, political, and philosophical contexts in which they were created.