54 Fairfield Street
Watchung Plaza
Montclair, NJ 07042
973.744.7177
Watchung Plaza
Montclair, NJ 07042
973.744.7177
11/06/2010 3:00 pm
11/06/2010 4:00 pm
Artist Siona Benjamin & Author Molly Aitken
present
The Intelligence of Tradition in Rajput Court Painting
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.
Siona
Benjamin is a painter originally from Bombay, now living in the US.
Her work reflects her background of being brought up Jewish in a
predominantly Hindu and Muslim India. In her paintings she combines the
imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today, making a
mosaic inspired by both Indian miniature paintings and Jewish and
Christian illuminated manuscripts. Siona currently lives and works in
Montclair, New Jersey.
Molly Emma Aitken is assistant professor of Asian art at The City College of New York.
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