Join us on a private tour through “Indian Skies,” the extraordinary collection of Indian court paintings by celebrated British painter Howard Hodgkin. Discover how Hodgkin, driven by a quest for “great art” and an “amazing actuality,” curated a collection that was deeply personal and passionate, valuing emotional power and radiant beauty above historical categories or styles.
In this video, we explore three distinct periods of Indian art:
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**Mughal Majesty (16th-19th Century):** Dive into the world of naturalism and grandeur, where artists meticulously blended Indian, Persian, and European influences. Meet “Khushi Khan,” an elephant portrayed with the same majesty as a king, showcasing incredible detail from ornate decoration to sensitive wrinkles and frayed ears – an image rooted in the intense, tangible reality of the court.
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**Deccani Poetry (17th-18th Century):** Experience a shift towards fantasy and imagination. Deccani art captivates with its otherworldly, poetic style. Marvel at the romantically charged vision of the legendary lovers of Golconda, Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and his bride, sharing a single horse – a striking departure from convention that emphasizes their unique intimacy and love.
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**Rajput Drama (17th-19th Century):** Witness high drama and devotion with the powerful use of bold, intense color. Explore a large-scale folio from the epic Rāmāyaṇa, depicting the formidable golden fortress of Lanka and the compelling confrontation between the monkey prince Angada and the demon-king Ravana. The artist’s use of multiple vantage points brilliantly accommodates the complex narrative.
Ultimately, Hodgkin’s collection is a self-portrait of his artistic soul – a testament to his love for Indian life, his eye for emotional power, his belief in the majestic quality of animals, and his profound passion for the emotive power of color. What does your world of images say about you?
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