Body Types—Bodily Ideals in Indian Art
Throughout next week's lectures, the images and readings explore the concept of the idealized and divine ruler. You will notice some predictable markers of divinity and royalty such as haloes, crowns, and thrones that denote imperial and divine status. Beyond that, however, some of the Mughal emperors in particular Shah Jahan--took their divinity a step further, referring to Islamic concepts of the Perfect Man and the Day of Judgement to inform their iconography.
Aside from the week's readings (see Reading Guide #3, most of which will be relevant for this week’s discussion) I am assigning an extra reading for discussion section this week (I will give it to you as a handout), entitled The Myth of the Taj Mahal and a New Theory of its Symbolic Meaning, by Wayne Begley. Please read it thoroughly (and give yourself plenty of time, because it is a bit difficult!). Then I'd like you to write up a 2-3 page summation of what you understand are its most important ideas. I am also asking you to select one Shah Jahan-era painting to illustrate and demonstrate some of these concepts. Please include a Xeroxed illustration of your choice (and be sure to choose something that is not in your readings. I want you to find something new).
You may choose your painting from one of the many books on reserve in the library, notably the following (but there are others *don't* limit yourselves to these):
Milo Beach, The King of the World (ND3399.L25 B43 1997)
Stuart Cary Welch, The Emperor's Album (ND3247 .E46 1987)
Milo Beach, The Imperial Image (ND3247 .B39)
This
assignment is to be handed in on Friday, September 27, in class.