Colloquium in Art History: Krishna and the Art of Devotion

Krishna, the beloved blue-skinned god of Hindu India, has been the focus of intense religious devotion for centuries. A rich artistic tradition of paintings, sculpture, poetry, music, dance, and drama represents the god in all his various aspects, illustrating and reenacting his life story and mythology. In this seminar, students will explore the history, theology, iconography, and aesthetics that inform these diverse artistic productions. Topics covered will include: iconographic analysis, the relationship between text and image, sectarianism and patronage, the idea of a sacred utopia, and the significance of aesthetics and the visual perspective in Indian art and religion. We will focus on images and artistic productions produced from the 16th century to the present day. Strongly recommended for history of art and architecture majors in their sophomore year.