Synopses & Reviews
This first book-length study on kanthas published outside of South Asia focuses on two premier collections, one assembled by the legendary historian of Indian art, Dr. Stella Kramrisch, the other by Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz, leading proponents of self-taught art. Created from worn-out garments imaginatively embroidered by women with motifs and tales drawn from a rich regional repertoire, kanthas traditionally were stitched as gifts for births, weddings, and other family occasions.
and#160;
Innovative essays by leading scholars explore the domestic, ritual, and historical contexts of the fascinating quilts in these collectionsand#151;made between the mid-19th and mid-20th century in what is today Bangladesh and West Bengal, Indiaand#151;and trace their reinterpretation as emblems of national identity and works of art. and#160;
Synopsis
This publication presents the first in-depth survey of the Conley Harris and Howard Truelove Collection of Indian Drawings, which was recently acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This exceptional collection, which has never previously been published, consists of 65 works on paper created between the 16th and 19th centuries.
The Harris-Truelove Collection is uniquely and tightly focused on works from the royal courts of North India, and the majority of these drawings served as preparatory material for the opaque watercolor illustrations that have been widely collected and studied. This catalogue celebrates the assured line of the Indian draftsman and recognizes these drawings as accomplished works of art in their own right. The text details the process and technique involved in their production, and explores what can be revealed by the artist s hand. This in-depth look at drawings also contextualizes the role of art production in court culture, and reveals the intricacies of artistic workshop practice."
Synopsis
This publication presents the first in-depth survey and celebration of an exceptional collection of Indian courtly drawings.
About the Author
Ainsley M. Cameron is the Ira Brind and Stacey Spector Assistant Curator of South Asian Art, and Darielle Mason is the Stella Kramrisch Curator of Indian and Himalayan Art, both at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.and#160;