Asian Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Case Study Example

Essay due in Asian Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Museums play an important role in developing interest towards different forms of Art. One of the renowned museums in the world is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In addition, this museum is one of the largest Art galleries in the world. Brian Silverman makes clear that: “The Metropolitan Museum of Art attracts some five million people a year, more than any other spot in New York City.” (Silverman 239) the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is important to the world of Arts. It attracts millions of people every year and helps them to recognize the rich tradition of Art from every nook and corner of the world. The Asian collection of Art works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains a large number of Art works from Asian countries. It is renowned for its collection of Chinese and Indian Art works displayed. Thesis statement: From the perspective of a viewer, discussion on the basic differences between Chinese and Indian art and analysis of a piece of art to unearth its history, the artist’s motives and expression. The Asian collection and basic differences between Chinese and Indian art objects on display The Asian collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art includes a wide range of Art works from different cultures from Asia. The collection includes gifts from philanthropists who collected different types of Art works from different cultures in Asia. Besides, the collection covers the 4000 year history of Asian Art. Some important differences between the Chinese and Indian art objects which represent the Asian Art are mentioned below. The Chinese collection includes Calligraphy and painting which represent its rich tradition of Art. Carol Michaelson and Jane Portal opine that: “Chinese painting is quite different from brightly coloured Western oil painting” (Michaelson and Portal 8) the tradition of painting in China is entirely different from Western form of oil painting. Besides, the Art works represent the history of different dynasties that ruled over China for centuries. For instance, the work ‘Model of a watchtower’ represents the Eastern Han dynasty in ancient China. But the Indian collection is different from Chinese works. The difference from Chinese Art can be seen in the usage of colors, medium and theme. The favorite medium of Indian Artists includes paper and cloth. For instance, the work ‘Mahavira Sitting at the Top of the Universe: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript, 15th century’ is in paper. The favorite theme of Indian artists includes stories from sacred texts. In addition, red is a dominant color in Indian Art works. But the favorite colors of Chinese Artists include light colors and its shades. The description and evaluation of the piece of Art selected The piece of Art selected for evaluation is: Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka: Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana (see Appendix-1), Accession Number1985.34. The Art work is prepared in ink and opaque water color on paper. The work represents the ‘Chaurapanchasika’ style, the rich tradition of Art in India. Earlier, the medium of painting in India was palm-leaves. But innovation helped to change the format, medium and subject matter. Besides, the Mughal rule in India deeply influenced painting and other forms of art. But this painting is free from Mughal influence and represents the pure indigenous Indian pattern/style in art. Besides, this work represents the "Chaurapanchasika" group, a group of manuscripts and individual paintings by Indians. Some manuscripts in this group include illustrations which describe the Hindu epic "Bhagavata Purana”. The tenth and eleventh books of this epic include the life of Krishna, the epic hero. The work ‘Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka:’ is a detached leaf from the text ‘Bhagavata Purana’ which represents the traditional mode of Indian Art, especially painting. Its story The theme of this art work is the battle fought between the epic hero Krishna and the armies of the Demon Naraka. Besides, a single event is illustrated in a full page. In the right side of the work, one can see the demon king and his wife. In the left side, one can see Krishna on his bird vehicle, Garuda. In the centre of the work, one can see the demon army on their elephants. The full scene is overwhelming with action in a battlefield. All the characters in this work provide a unique dynamism to the whole work. The limited range of colors does not distract the viewer to perceive the elements as a whole. The artists motives and expression The Artist’s motive can be interpreted as the attempt to influence the readers of the epic ‘Bhagavata Purana’ by inculcating novelty, liveliness and energy. Besides, this work acts as a visual image to the readers to recreate the life and heroic deeds of Krishna, the epic hero. W. G. Archer is of the opinion that: “Krishna’s constant alterations of role, appearing sometimes as God but more often as boy or man” (Archer 104) the role of Krishna, the epic hero is constantly changing. In some stories, he appears as the God, in other stories he appears as a boy or a man. The usage of colors is limited because it is included in a book which is considered sacred by the Hindus. But the composition and figural arrangement of the work proves that it is completed by an experienced hand. The charm and directness of the work proves that it represent the rich heritage of Indian Art. The bold patterning, the usage of contrasting flat colors provides a lively atmosphere to the work. The sense of two-dimensionality is another peculiarity of this work. How the viewers might perceive this work The viewers can perceive the work as an example of the Chaurapanchasika style in Indian Art. The work is beyond its religious scope as the part of a sacred text of Hindus. The two-dimensionality of work provides an impression that the imaginary world recreated by the artist is real forever. The world of epic heroes, demons and others help the viewer to view the same from a different angle. The background, which is red in color, helps the viewer to perceive the work as the representation of a fierce battle. Summing up, the evaluation of Asian Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art prove that there are some basic differences between Chinese and Indian art objects displayed. The interpretation of the art work ‘Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka’ makes clear that it represent the pure and rich tradition of Indian art before the influence of Mughal Empire in India. As the influence of Art on humanity is a universal phenomenon, the venture undertaken by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to create an Asian Collection is appreciable and is helpful to the viewers to understand more about Art, especially paintings and sculpture from different cultures. Works cited Archer, W. G. The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry. New York: Courier Dover Publications, 2004. Michaelson, Carol, and Jane Portal. Chinese art in detail. China: Harvard University Press, 2006. Silverman, Brian. Frommers New York City 2008. Hoboken: Frommers, 2007. Appendices Appendix-1 Source: Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka: Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana (Accession Number1985.34), Asian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA. Available at:-http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/asian_art/krishna_battles_the_armies_of_the_demon_naraka_page/objectview_enlarge.aspx?page=1&sort=0&sortdir=asc&keyword=indian%20&fp=1&dd1=6&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=6&OID=60004790&vT=1 Read More