W16 Merrill - COMPLIT 322 - Translating World Literatures

Apsara in Translation

Two figures, Anjana and a bull are depicted centrally in the image. The background is very simple with some grass tufts and a pond near the very bottom of the images. Near the top of the image in the background there some trees and sky are visible.
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur School
Iconography Series: Brisha
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
10 3/4 in x 7 7/8 in (27.3 cm x 20 cm);19 3/8 in x 14 3/8 in (49.21 cm x 36.51 cm)
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink
The figure is kneeling musician on lotus seat, made of separately carved petals. Below the seat, there is a base, which consists of two lotus-shaped half-sphere, connected up-side-down. The head has two buns, elongated ears, simplified facial parts; the figure wears a pink robe with wide sleeves, holding a sort of instrument with hands.
Japanese
Celestial Musician (Japanese, Hiten; Sanskrit, Apsara)
polychromed camphor wood on lacquered wood base
14 15/16 in. x 7 1/16 in. x 5 11/16 in. ( 38 cm x 18 cm x 14.5 cm )
Gift of John J. Schloss
Artist Unknown, India, Seu-Nainsukh School
Râmâyana manuscript, folio 101: Demon Armies Pour Out of Ravana's Castle
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
9 13/16 in x 13 7/8 in (25 cm x 35.2 cm);9 7/8 in x 13 7/8 in (25.1 cm x 35.2 cm)
Museum Purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
The image is split into two unequal parts; a lower and upper. In the lower half of the image the figures are all holding weapons. The background of the image is red with the majority of the figures being yellow in color. A single blue figure is located in the lower left. This figure is seated on a wheeled, vehicle.
Indian
Markendeya purana series: Bhavana on tiger confronts a demon / Rama and Hanuman
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth
46 3/4 in x 34 9/16 in (118.7 cm x 87.8 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
The blue four-armed Vishnu is shown lying on a gigantic pipal leaf with his left leg crossed over his right leg; as his female consort gently strokes his leg, he awakens from a long sleep. Another woman fans him. From his navel sprouts a lotus, bearing the four-headed creator god, Brahma, and rishis or sages appear in the upper branches of the pipal tree.  Vishnu has four arms carrying a discus and a conch in his back hands and the lower left arm is extended pointing towards the women at his feet while the lower right am is cross towards his stomach.<br />The iconography is further compounded by the image in the lower register of a tortoise at the bottom of the ocean of milk, bearing a mountain on his back. The tortoise is in fact Kurma, another manifestation of Vishnu, supporting the cosmic axis. Elephants have gathered to pay homage to him, while in a small inset at right, a worshipper pays homage to Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. A large red figure faces the scene to the right accompanied by small blue figures
Indian
Fragment from a Markendeya Purana scroll: Vishnu on the pipal leaf
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth
44 5/8 in x 44 1/4 in x 1 1/4 in (113.35 cm x 112.4 cm x 3.18 cm);44 5/8 in x 44 1/4 in x 1 1/4 in (113.35 cm x 112.4 cm x 3.18 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
Mañjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, standing with two celestial attendants.  This representation of Manjushri includes six arms, one of which holds a sword, while a narrow book (modeled after books made from palm leaves) lays across his upper hand.  Manjushri is wearing an ornamented crown and necklace, and is encircled by a halo of flames.
Indian
Six-armed Bodhisattva Mañjusri, standing, with two celestial attendants
bronze
9 7/16 in x 12 3/16 in x 3 9/16 in (24 cm x 31 cm x 9 cm);9 7/16 in x 12 3/16 in x 3 9/16 in (24 cm x 31 cm x 9 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
Indian
Celestial Maiden Removing a Thorn from her Foot
sandstone

Gift of Mark and Iuliana Phillips
Cambodian
Vishnu on Garuda
stone
20 1/2 in. x 11 13/16 in. x 6 1/16 in. ( 52 cm x 30 cm x 15.4 cm )
Gift of Mark Phillips and Iuliana Phillips
Khmer
Standing Female Figure, probably a Hindu Goddess
bronze
6 1/2 in. x 2 3/16 in. x 1 9/16 in. ( 16.5 cm x 5.5 cm x 4 cm )
Gift of Doris Duke's Southeast Asian Art Collection
Indian
Garuda
bronze

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
Indian
Garuda
bronze

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
Indian
Garuda (small folk bronze)
bronze

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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Asia — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
Cultural appropriation — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
Cultural exchange — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
Dance — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
Mythology — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
Religion — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
University class selection — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)
Visual and literary themes — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:54 am)

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April 7, 2020 6:43 p.m.

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