an elephant decorated with bells and bands on its tusks with its keeper by one foot; there are more elephants and a military formation in the background
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART BULLETIN | VOLUME 81 | NUMBER 3

Indian Skies: The Howard Hodgkin Collection of Indian Court Painting

Guy, John, and Navina Najat Haidar
2024
48 pages
57 illustrations
8.5 x 11 in
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Court painting, both devotional and secular, has a long history in India and has inspired artists from diverse global traditions. This Bulletin features more than fifty stunning examples of Indian court painting by Mughal, Deccani, Rajasthani, and Pahari artists all from the former collection of British painter Howard Hodgkin (1932–2017). The works featured include stunning portraits, beautifully detailed text illustrations, studies of the natural world, and devotional subjects. Authors explore Hodgkins’s interest in these works and the relationship between his collecting and artistic practice while also providing detailed discussions of individual styles of the Indian courts and the vibrant exchange across their kingdoms from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.

Small Indian Sky, Howard Hodgkin  British, Oil on wood in artist frame, British
Howard Hodgkin
1990
"Mihrdukht Aims her Arrow at the Ring," Folio from the Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza), Basawan  Indian, Opaque color and gold on cotton cloth
Basawan
ca. 1570
"Khwaja Umar Saved from Pursuers," Folio from the Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza), Kesu Das  Indian, Opaque color and gold on cotton cloth
Kesu Das
ca. 1565–70
A Prince Riding an Elephant in Procession, Opaque color and gold on cotton cloth
ca. 1570
Krishna Dances on the Head of Kaliya; Illustration to the Harivamsa (Story of Hari), Opaque color and gold on paper
ca. 1590–95
A Pair of Mynas, Opaque color on paper
ca. 1620
Two Pigeons, Opaque color on paper
ca. 1650
Attendants at an Imperial Durbar, Hunhar  Indian, Opaque color and gold on paper
Hunhar
ca. 1645
Iltifat Khan, Brush drawing with pigment on paper
ca. 1640
Flower Studies, Ink on paper
ca. 1650
Prince Aurangzeb, Opaque watercolor and gold on cloth
ca. 1653–55
Music Party on a Riverside Terrace, Opaque color and gold on paper
ca. 1670
Prince A'zam Shah Enters Ahmedabad, Chitarman II (Kalyan Das)  Indian, Color and gold on paper
Chitarman II (Kalyan Das)
ca. 1701
The Elephant Khushi Khan, Opaque color and gold on paper
ca. 1650
An Elephant and Keeper, Opaque color and gold on paper
ca. 1650–60
Sultan Ibrahim 'Adil Shah II in Procession, 'Ali Riza 'Abbasi  Indian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
'Ali Riza 'Abbasi
mid-17th century
Composite Album Page with Standing Figure of Jahangir, Opaque watercolor, gold silver paint on paper
early 17th century
Sultan Muhammad 'Adil Shah and Ikhlas Khan Riding an Elephant, Haidar 'Ali  Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Haidar 'Ali
Ibrahim Khan
ca. 1645
Sultan ‘Ali ‘Adil Shah II Slays a Tiger, Bombay Painter (probably Abdul Hamid Naqqash), Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and probably lapis-lazuli pigment on paper
Bombay Painter
ca. 1660
Wedding Procession of Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
ca. 1650
Showing 20 of 50

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Guy, John, and Navina Najat Haidar. 2024. “Indian Skies : The Howard Hodgkin Collection of Indian Court Painting.” Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin.