The Spiritual Form of the 10th aspect of the Earth (Chester Beatty Collection, Dublin)
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Goetz, Hermann
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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Illustration in a manuscript of Nujum-al-'Ulum, executed for 'Ali l 'Adilshah in 1570. Hindu style of Vijayanagar in Islamic art of Deccan. The Nujum al-Ulum or 'Stars of the Sciences' is an encyclopaedia of subjects chosen with the catholicity of a Sir Thomas Browne. In an enumeration of the 140 aspects of the earth, the spiritual forms of the guardians of each are represented. This is one. The book is dated 1570 (A.H.978) in 3 places. A note, on p. 1, by a former owner states that the book was once the property of Ibrahim II of Bijapur. Even if the value of this note, the date of which is uncertain, is questioned, there can be no doubt of the southern influence on the style. This is apparent not only in the female type and costume but also in much decorative detail. A frieze of lions and swans on a full-page illustration, e.g., is in pure southern. taste. Several miniatures represent Hindu deities. Probably Bijapur, though may be Golconda. (Douglas E. Barrett, Painting of the Deccan, XVI-XVII Century, London, Faber & Faber, 1958, p. 8)
Keywords
Deccan: Ahmadnagar Sultanate (Tarif-i-Husain Shahi, etc.), Bijapur Sultanate, paintings, miniatures, book scan
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Archives Series
Date created
1959
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This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.
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