Indian Art (Oxford History of Art) (Paperback)

by Partha Mitter (Author) "At the end of the British Raj in 1947, the Indian subcontinent was partitioned into the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan..." (more)
Key Phrases: Great Stupa, Bengal School, East India Company (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This concise yet lively new survey guides the reader through 5,000 years of Indian art and architecture. A rich artistic tradition is fully explored through the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Colonial, and contemporary periods, incorporating discussion of modern Bangladesh and Pakistan, tribal artists, and the decorative arts.
Combining a clear overview with fascinating detail, Mitter succeeds in bringing to life the true diversity of Indian culture. The influence of Islam on the Mughal court, which produced the world-famous Taj Mahal and exquisite miniature paintings, is closely examined. More recently, he discusses the nationalist and global concerns of contemporary art, including the rise of female artists, the stunning architecture of Charles Correa, and the vibrant art scene.
The very particular character of Indian art is set within its cultural and religious milieu, raising important issues about the profound differences between Western and Indian ideas of beauty and eroticism in art.

About the Author

Partha Mitter is Professor of History of Art at the University of Sussex. Currently a Visiting Scholar at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles, he also lectures around the world, notably Columbia University, Princeton University, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192842218
• ISBN-13: 978-0192842213
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #302,453 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incisive portrait of a fascinating subject, May 9, 2004

By A Customer

This is a necessary corrective to previous, stale surveys of Indian art. It gives full attention to the whole range of art and architecture and also stresses the strong contribution of Islamic, tribal, and women's art. This is the standard volume at this time.

4.0 out of 5 stars Serviceable Intro to the Subject, May 13, 2009

By	S. Pactor "reader" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're looking for a comprehensive treatment of all issues pertaining to indian art, this ain't it. If, on the other hand, you want an authoritative introduction to a complex subject, this is the book for you. Author takes the reader through the various categories and time-frame's of Indian artistic development, with a strong emphasis on architecture in the form of palaces and places of worship. I read this after tackling Dozinger's cultural history of india, and I found this book to a useful addendum to that book.

14 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Hackneyed Presentation, January 17, 2002

By A Customer

Although Partha Mitter has written a much better book "Much Maligned Monsters", this book is a total flop. It is hackneyed and bending backwards to be politically correct. For example, a major portion of the book is devoted to Islamic Art (712-1757), but the Islamic kings did not even get properly established in India for 400 years after the putative beginning of this period. Mitter's understanding of the earliest art is less then exemplary and his choices from the most recent period are idiosyncratic. I was greatly disappointed in this book.