Garden and Cosmos – Royal Paintings of Jodhpur

Indian Summer at British Museum – Shows and Events for Summer 2009

May 30, 2009

Indian Summer events at the British Museum include Indian art, India Landscape, plus talks, family events and educational activities led by Indian academics and artists.

For the 2009 summer season the British Museum has planned a number of exhibitions and events focusing on Indian culture and art. One of the highlights of the season is the show entitled Garden and Cosmos: the Royal Paintings of Jodhpur.

This exhibition features more than 50 paintings specific to the Jodhpur region dating from the 17th to the 19th Centuries. The paintings have been loaned by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust. The present maharaja, Gaj Singh II, who established the Trust in 1972, has permitted these items to go on tour in the United States, UK and India. None of the paintings have been seen in Europe until now. The display also includes two significant paintings loaned by the National Museum in Delhi, as well as two items from the British Museum's own collection.

Garden and Cosmos looks at the two separate types of painting popular in the Jodhpur region between 1725 and 1843. The paintings, which were created for the personal pleasure of the rulers of Jodhpur, represent the spiritual, political and aesthetic preferences of three generations of the Jodhpur court.

Two distinct styles of painting co-existed during this period. The words 'garden' and 'cosmos' are metaphors for these two styles. 'Garden' covers the very detailed and ornate style showing life in the royal court. The word 'Cosmos' covers paintings concerned with philosophical speculation about the origin of the universe.

The show is divided into two parts. In the first section paintings created for Bakhat Singh (1725-1751) are displayed. The art shows the pleasures of life in the royal court with the ruler enjoying the lush flowering gardens at his desert palace at Nagaur. Also on display are vivid representations of epic poems such as the Ramayana.

The second part of the exhibition looks at paintings from the reign of Maharaja Man Singh (1803-1843). The maharaja, who was Bakhat Singh's great-grandson, commissioned more than 1,000 paintings devoted to metaphysical concepts such as the creation of the universe.

To complement Garden and Cosmos the British Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have jointly organised an Indian-themed garden on the forecourt of the British Museum. India Landscape, which will be on view until 28th September 2009, recreates the diverse habitats of the Indian subcontinent. Visitors will experience a temperate region, a sub-tropical zone, a pool filled with lotus flowers, and a glimpse of the Himalayas. The garden will show the importance of plants in Indian food, medicine and trade.

There will also be a range of debates, interactive workshops, film screenings, food tastings as well as live music and dance performances.

Garden and Cosmos: the Royal Paintings of Jodhpur will be on view until 23rd August 2009 after which it will move to the National Museum of India. Further information can be obtained from the British Museum.

The copyright of the article Garden and Cosmos – Royal Paintings of Jodhpur in Traveling Art Exhibits is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Garden and Cosmos – Royal Paintings of Jodhpur in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.