In D.C.? Go to the Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery, NOW.

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Garden and Cosmos- Royal Paintings of Jodhpur.jpg
I should create a category called, “NOW you tell me…?”, for situations like this. I just woke up 30 minutes ago, checked my email and what did I see?

Make it a priority this weekend to see the highly acclaimed exhibition, “Garden and Cosmos.” The exhibition named the “great Asian show of the year,” by Souren Melikian of the International Herald Tribune closes this Sunday, January 4 at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Closes this Sunday?! Well, happy birthday to me!

This groundbreaking exhibition of newly discovered Indian paintings from the royal court collection of Marwar-Jodhpur (in the modern state of Rajasthan) has three sections devoted to the garden and cosmos leitmotifs, with an introductory gallery about the kingdom of Marwar-Jodhpur and the origins of its court painting traditions in the 17th century. Produced for the private enjoyment of the Marwar- Jodhpur maharajas, virtually none of the 60 works on view in “Garden and Cosmos” have ever been published or seen by scholars since their creation centuries ago. Strikingly innovative in their large scale, subject matter, and styles, they reveal both the conceptual sophistication of the royal atelier and the kingdom’s engagement with the changing political landscapes of early modern India.
Commentary by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, who lent many of the paintings, and Debra Diamond, the curator who organized the exhibition, is included on an audio guide available at the Garden and Cosmos entrance. [si]

There’s a link to some of that audio guide, here. I’m going to finish blogging about this later; I’d rather put up a blurb now (so that those of you who are awake and in DC have a shot at making this) vs. blog about it later today when I’ll have more time…and a whole day to see these gorgeous works will be gone. The Sackler gallery is open from 10:00am to 5:30pm, daily. Remember, admission is FREE.

If my phone works in the exhibit, I’ll try and tweet about what’s going on via SM’s twitter account. More soon!

24 thoughts on “In D.C.? Go to the Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery, NOW.”

  1. I went to this exhibit the day it opened (right after the last DC meetup). FANTASTIC. The composition of some of the paintings (esp. the large ones with the single figures) is incredible.

    Plus I loved the way the rooms were set up. So much color!

    Hope you enjoy!

  3. Saw this a few weeks ago with a friend…we were the only people there and it was absolutely awe-inspiring. Every detail, down to the amazing wall colors, is incredible. I’m amazed at the detailed work as well…some of the paintings you really need to view through the magnifying glasses the museum provides. There are figures painted in rooms within rooms…so small! After you finish viewing the exhibit, go back and sit on the bench in the second room and close your eyes. I can’t describe it, but something about remembering the images in your head and the music just puts you in a happy place.

  6. Thanks Amrita. the audio-vid guide linkd in #5 is superb. I especially enjoyed the rajtilak darbar of man singh. mega-muttonchops yaar. and look at all the guys offering up fake beards. very fun. 🙂

  7. They’re saying the women at the left never got painted, but when I zoom, I see line drawings all of men. Why would the women of the court emerge fr5om purdah to attend a rajtilak ceremony anyway?

  8. 4 · Amrita said

    Where’s it going next?

    According to the Smithsonian:

    After its debut at the Sackler, the exhibition travels to the Seattle Art Museum (January 29-April 26, 2009); the British Art Museum, (May 28-August 23, 2009); and finally the National Museum of India, New Delhi (October-December, 2009).

    6 · khoofia said

    Thanks Amrita. the audio-vid guide linkd in #5 is superb.

    Just to prevent confusion, Amrita’s link is the same audio-guide link included in the original post. We aren’t THAT useless. 😉 Anyway, it is well worth a listen/peek.

  9. …whoops, sorry, there they are, about fifteen of them with melonlike or mangolike boobs and all– not so much purdah, I guess.

  10. Thanks v. much, SM Intern. Now that means I’ll have to go to Seattle and London, where my siblings are, to follow the exhibition around. Why did they leave out the Met, near me?

    Of course you and Anna aren’t “useless”— you brought this to us as a New Year present– I just didn’t see the link. Happy Birthday tomorrow, Anna!

  11. he exhibition travels to … the British Art Museum, (May 28-August 23, 2009)

    Hey, thanks for that. I’m always looking for an excuse to go over to London. Now I have one.

  12. …whoops, sorry, there they are, about fifteen of them with melonlike or mangolike boobs and all– not so much purdah, I guess.

    it’s good to be the king. ah.

    8 · SM Intern said

    Just to prevent confusion, Amrita’s link is the same audio-guide link included in the original post. We aren’t THAT useless. 😉

    aw come on man. you’re killing me. We appreciate the post very mootch – just slipped seeing it the fuss’time around.

  13. 13 · Jef Costello said

    Not to spoil the party, but these exhibition tamashas have cost India dearly in the past. The case of the Yakshi, which suffered damage during the “Festival of India” exhibitions in the late 1980s, is one example. Some others are mentioned in this book.

    Maybe exposing kids to the art and history of the subcontinent will make them curious enough to grow up to actual conduct legitimate scholarship on the subject? The aestheticist in me just can’t stand the idea of cloistering or restricting peoples’ exposure to works of art and other things of beauty. Art is meant to be seen and enjoyed by people. Nobody really “owns” it.

  15. I can’t believe no one else has said this yet…But yes, Happy birthday to you!

  16. Thanks for the tip Anna. And happy birthday. No you’re not useless. My thoughts : 1. Damn, those Maharajas had large harems. 2. Those painters were great at painstaking detail (including being careful to give the harem a range of skin tones for eg.) 3. But they could learn a thing or two about perspective (3D .vs. 2D), and how to draw animals (some of those bears and monkeys were not very convincing). 4. I never get tired of hearing about cross-cultural influences and this one had a lot of that also (Marwari Maharajas building their palaces and gardens in the Mughal style, the whole miniature style also being influenced by the mughals i think ? etc.) 5. I thought “Mandalas” were a tibetian-buddhist thing, but clearly they were not.

  17. I just got back from the exhibit. AMAZING! The attention to detail in those painting is awe inspiring 🙂 Thanks for the heads-up. Being the last day and all, it was quite busy but still worth it.

  18. “Commentary by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, who lent many of the paintings, and Debra Diamond, the curator who organized the exhibition, is included on an audio guide available at the Garden and Cosmos entrance.”

    Now thats a royal exhibition! Too bad i dont live in DC!

  19. Happy Birthday Anna;God bless. had been reading your posts regularly; first time commenting, couldn’t pass wishing you.

  21. Happy birthday!

    On a different subject, look out for the first two parts of the six part series, “The Story of India” tonight on PBS between 9-11 pm.

  22. 22 · sigh! said

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    On a different subject, look out for the first two parts of the six part series, “The Story of India” tonight on PBS between 9-11 pm.

    I’ll check it out but I’m skeptical on how good it will be because the filmmaker says some silly things in “The Making of the Film” section. If you’re interested in this topic, check out Nehru’s “Bharat ek Khoj” on YouTube.

  24. The Rang Rasiya Freedom of Expression Art Competition extended until January 21, 2009 After receiving an overwhelming response , the Rang Rasiya Freedom of Expression Art Competition, a nation wide contest, a venture by Infiniti Film Entertainment has extended the closing date of entries till January 21, 2008. This Art Movement is an endeavor to bring about a socio cultural movement in India and provide a platform for new talent who are passionate about Art. The competition is open to all above the age of 18. Entries open till January 21,2008.For participation, log on to http://www.rangrasiya.com . For further details contact – Infinity Film Entertainment @ 022- 40742100 or Logon to http://www.rangrasiya.com