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George Mason exhibit showcases 4 centuries of Indian art
The exhibit presents photographic reproductions of Indian paintings from the sixteenth to nineteenth century that portray forms of divine love between a Hindu deity and his devotees.
George Mason students work with pieces of the National Museum of Asian Art collection. / Photo by Robert DeCaroli
Four centuries of Indian history have been brought to life through a museum exhibit by art history students at George Mason University, who have applied their academic training to real-world curation.
The exhibit, titled "Loving Krishna: Four Centuries of Indian Painting," is currently on display at George Mason’s Fenwick Library until February 15.
Led by professor Robert DeCaroli, students in the university’s ‘Curating an Exhibit’ course collaborated with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art during the fall 2024 semester. As part of their hands-on experience, they studied a collection of painted miniatures and manuscript pages from India’s Rajput and Pahari courts, dated between 1500 and 1800.
Lord Krishna’s intimate relationship with Radha, regarded as his most devoted companion, is a focal point of the exhibition, drawing from texts such as the Gita Govinda. The paintings illustrate different dimensions of devotion—Krishna as a romantic partner, friend, child, and divine protector—reflecting bhakti devotionalism, a tradition in which devotees form a deep, personal bond with the deity.
The exhibit was made possible through a partnership with the National Museum of Asian Art and curator Debra Diamond. Students were responsible for designing all museum-related materials, including wall texts, catalog entries, and educational programming.
"It has been a joy watching the students feel connected to their paintings," DeCaroli said. "That enthusiasm provides motivation for excellent research into the history and meaning of the artwork."
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