In his overview of the South Asian and Islamic Art holdings of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, John Henry Rice reviews the history of how one of North America’s finest collections of South Asian and Himalayan art came to richmond.
Request ProgramSouth Asian
Devi: The Goddess and Her Many Forms
Throughout South Asia, the Goddess Devi is an important cultural and religious symbol in both Hindu and Buddhist communities. The variety of her forms, both wrathful and peaceful, underscores the dynamic nature of this figure. This lecture examines the roots of the goddess tradition in ancient India and the contemporary aspects of Devi’s worship, addressing…
Request ProgramBuddhist Art and Pilgrimage
Shortly after the death of Buddha in the 5th century BCE, pilgrimage was promoted as a vital component of Buddhist practice and spiritual development. Subsequently, the art and architecture that developed at these sites have become intrinsic components of Buddhist visual culture. Utilizing objects in the permanent collection at the VMFA, this program examines the…
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