#India

Quartz and chromium muscovite Wine Cup of Jahangir, ca. 1612 to 1613, RISD Museum, Providence, RI, USA. Design

Jahangir’s Wine Cups: Mughal Decorative Arts

The Mughal Empire stands as one of history’s most opulent periods known to nurture a rich tapestry of art and architecture that offers a...

Maya M. Tola 24 March 2026

Architecture

Jali in Mughal Architecture, the Most Delicate Stone Curtains

The jali, or pierced screens, have been extensively employed in Indian construction since time immemorial. They appear in both Hindu and Islamic...

Maya M. Tola 24 March 2026

Architecture

Masterpiece Story: Taj Mahal

Located on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, a little over 100 miles outside New Delhi, is India’s most famous monument and one of the...

Maya M. Tola 15 March 2026

The Adoration of Cosmic Vishnu, ca. 1710 - 1725, Mankot, India, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Asian Art

Avatars of Vishnu: 10 Incarnations of the Eastern God

Vishnu has been worshipped for over 2000 years as the supreme protector of the Hindu triumvirate, along with Shiva and Brahmin. His role in the...

Maya M. Tola 9 February 2026

Asian Art

Miniature Paintings of the Mughal Empire

The Mughals descended from a lineage of formidable conquerors such as Genghis Khan and Amir Timur. They were themselves the most dominant force in...

Maya M. Tola 8 January 2026

gauri Asian Art

The Consort of Shiva: Iconography of Parvati

Parvati is a venerated Hindu goddess generally associated with domesticity, fertility, and beauty. She is an integral member of the Tridevi, the...

Maya M. Tola 22 December 2025

Asian Art

Raja Ravi Varma: A Fine Mixture of European Realism and Indian Sensibility

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was one of the most celebrated and prominent artists from India. His works combined European realism with Indian...

Anuradha Sroha 17 November 2025

Asian Art

The Hindu Lord of the Dance—Shiva Nataraja in Art

Nataraja, the manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva as the Lord of the Dance, holds a profound significance in Hindu mythology and symbolism. Depicted...

Maya M. Tola 20 October 2025

Art Travels

The Qutub Complex: Architecture of the Early Islamic Period in India

The Qutub Minar complex is a collection of architectural marvels located at the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in New Delhi, India. The complex...

Maya M. Tola 20 October 2025

Asian Art

Gods of the Hindu Trinity: Representation in Art

The Hindu trinity comprises Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva (or Mahesh), the destroyer. These three Gods represent the cyclical...

Maya M. Tola 20 October 2025

henna in indian paintings Asian Art

Henna in Indian Paintings

Henna in Indian painting observes a symbolic as well as celebratory value. Henna or Mehndi is a significant cultural aspect of Indian culture. For...

Urvi Chheda 20 October 2025

Asian Art

Shiva Lingam: Curious Abstract Representation of the Hindu God

The Shiva Lingam or Shiva Linga is a highly regarded and widely recognized icon in the Hindu world. This curious phallic structure has been...

Maya M. Tola 20 October 2025