Divine Presence: Arts of India and the Himalayas [Hardcover]

Jane Casey (Author), Naman P. Ahuja (Author), David Weldon (Author), John Bigelow Taylor (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 2006

Casa Asia, established in 2000 by the Spanish government to foster cultural and educational exchange between Asia and Spain, celebrates its inaugural exhibition entitled "Divine Presence: Arts of India and the Himalayas". The exhibition brings together over 60 of the world's finest examples of Indian and Himalayan art, drawn from 26 leading private and public collections in Europe and North America. The exhibition highlights the artistic achievements of one of the world's most aesthetically accomplished regions. India's artistic heritage can be traced at least as early as the third millennium BCE and since the early centuries BCE, Indian artists have continuously created images of breathtaking quality and power. Both in India and the Himalayas, images were chiefly intended to communicate the presence and the powers of divinity. The objects represent the major schools and the finest aesthetic traditions in Indian and Himalayan art and thus provide an introduction to the field. Although the works in this exhibition had particular and in some respects now irretrievable meanings and associations for the culture that produced them, today they can also legitimately be seen as cultural ambassadors of unique periods and regions of our common human heritage. In their catalogue, the authors describe the salient aesthetic and art historical characteristics of each work, and suggest further reading through which the reader can deepen his or her understanding of their historical and cultural associations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jane Casey-Singer is an art historian specialising in Himalayan art. She is the author of over 25 books and articles. Naman P. Ahuja is a specialist in Indian art, with particular interest in early Indian sculpture. He is currently Research Fellow in the Department of Eastern Art at the Ashmolean, Oxford. David Weldon is a consultant in Himalayan art with over 30 years' experience in this field.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: 5 Continents Editions (July 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 887439022X
• ISBN-13: 978-8874390229
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,248,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Divine Collection of Art, March 6, 2007

By 

Charles Beck (Framingham State College, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Divine Presence: Arts of India and the Himalayas (Hardcover)

I confess that I was rather hesitant to order a book that was limited to an inaugural exhibition of Asian art in Barcelona, Spain. I was delighted to discover that the editorial description was correct in using such superlatives as the "finest examples of Indian and Himalayan art" presented in "stunning photographs." The book begins with a very informative introduction to both schools of art by two Asian specialists. The Indian section consists of 25 statues and steles carved from stone (mostly sandstone or schist) and statues cast in metal (mostly bronze or copper). There is a dynamic sandstone image of a regal archer pulling a bowstring, and a charming statue of a four armed yogini seated on an owl with two hands holding a sword and shield while using her other two hands to whistle. The Himalayan collection contains 35 works consisting of statuary in gilt copper, pigment and gems, and a set of detailed patterns on cloth using a painting (distemper) process.

As the title suggests, the works of art have a spiritual presence. However, it should be noted that Hinduism and Buddhism often combine the mystical and sensual realms. For example, the final Himalayan work from Mongolia, a gilt copper statue with pigment, shows a Vajradhara (primordial Buddha) embracing his consort in a union of the spiritual and sensual realms. They are seated on a lotus throne with exquisite expressions as they gaze at each other.

The book provides a rare opportunity to examine outstanding works of art from private collections. The excellent pictures are clearly defined and mostly photographed against a black background. Some works include an overall view along with a detailed close-up. The only disappointing feature of this book is the limited number (60) of pieces. The book is an inspirational work of art as are the pieces that make-up the collection.