Korea, India, Persia

“Gold and Jade Crown” Silla Kingdom; Korea; 6th cent. CE; Metalwork

Queen’s crown that was used in life & afterlife

• Found in a TOMB → like to bring riches to afterlife AND shows status

Represented the World Tree (Axis Mundi)

• sacred knowledge sent from Heaven to Earth

Geometrically stylized

Jade = ripe fruit (fertility)

Shamanism - one spiritual “priest” making sure we are in

“Portrait of Sin Sukju” Korea; 15th century; Imperial Bureau of Painting; Hanging Scroll

Imperial Bureau of Painting = government agency of artists (artists employed by gov’t)

Sin Sukju is a Prime Minister who received meritorious subject four times, this one is 1417-75

Meritorious Subject Painting; an official honored for loyalty to king during a TUMULTUOUS time (POLITICAL PROPAGANDA)

Symbol of success & how one should be

• commemorates sitter in present AND afterlife, worshipped by later generations

Attention to detail on face and symbol of rank

Chinese → birds = rank

“Taj Mahal” 1630 CE; India; Mughal; Imperial architect Lahori

Looks like an Islamic monument, but isn’t, because…

Chahar Bargh - 4 quarters of paradise heavens

• planted to bloom year-round → symbol of the ruler’s succes

Mughal gardens - place of refuge

“The Luminous Tomb”

• Built by Shah Jahan, Mughal Emperor, for Mumtaz Mahal, his favored wife that died in childbirth

• a mausoleum BUT

• a DISPLAY OF POWER

Innovation - white marble instead of red brick

• wanted it to be better and more unique than others

Taj design based on Humayan’s tomb

Purposelly located next to Yamuna River → visible

Symmetry important - mosque on left, storage/museum on right

• Predestination

Vegetal motifs inlaid with gemstones represent the cosmos -Just like the mausoleum of Shihuangdi

Qur’anic quotes

Sacred geometry

Persian Miniatures

Gouache - vibrant watercolor

Depicts genre scenes (everyday life) OR royal history

Highly Decorated (Large border)

Calligraphy

It was ICONIC, which goes against Islamic tradition

• typically NOT religious art

“Bahram Gur Fights the Karg” Folio from Shahnama; Persian; 1330

Shahnama - Royal history of Iran (NOT mass produced due to the great detail)

• Manual of just king ship → audience = royals and teaches them about past successful rulers

Bahram Gur - descendant of Genghis Khan (Mongol), ruled over foreign land (Mesopotamia and Iran)

Bahram Gur depicted as hero of Iranian history because he was believed to triumphed over Irian folklore monster, the Karg, who had been terrorizing them.

Function - propaganda to legitimize foreign rule

Chinese landscape paintings - curvilinear, ink wash

DIDACTIC ART - meant to educate the viewer

“Court of Gayumars” Folio from Shahnama; 1525

Artist - Sultan Muhammad- established artist who’s art is known for being highly detailed → is in high demand (makes his art more expensive

Patron = Shah Tahmasp - commitment to literacy

• showcases wealth (lux materials, gold sky)

Gayumars - legendary first king (shah) of Iran (12th BCE)

Circular hierarchy - Gayumars at apex

• in control of people and nature (the universe)

• Lush landscape - success of nation

• Favored son prophesied to die

Chinese - twisting tree branches, stylized flowers, patterned clouds

Persian - flat gold sky, lavish color (Gouache), individualized faces

Shows power through the implied halo

FUNCTION

• Didactic art - educate royalty and public

• Showcase patron’s wealth and status

“Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Sheikh to Kings” Bichtir (artist); India; 1620; Watercolor, gold, ink on paper

Context: Prince Salim is prophesied heir, Mughal Empire is under muslim rule (mughals)

• Prince Salim is seen as a bad ruler, changes name as Jahangir

• Jahangir - Mughal King in India meaning “bringer of light”

• Sufi Sheikh - Islamic mystic; religion important

• Ottoman Prince

• King James (England)

• Bichtir: artist (Hindu)

Euro - naturalistic flowers, angels

Islam/Persia - Decorated border, calligraphy

Bichtir - acclaimed for ability to paint hands

• Painting established distinction between rich & poor; Jewelry & cannot be touched

Islam: Jahangir “Seizer of light: & Sufi Sheikh, Qur’an calligraphy, Decorative borders, blue & gold

Euro: King James I (England), naturalistic flowers (Dutch), Christin angels

India: Bichtir in yellow Hindu robes