The Eye Divine: Indian Miniatures

The Eye Divine: Indian Miniatures
Unknown artist
Krishna and Gopis playing on a swing (hindola) early 20th century
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, purchased 1970

Exhibition Details

In bestowing the ‘eye divine’, Krishna, the Hindu god of compassion and love, empowered Arjuna with the ability to see his Universal Form (Vishvarupa): the unlimited expansion of the universe. Likewise, Indian painting invites viewers into a world of innumerable, magical encounters. This is achieved through rasa, the theoretical basis for all arts in India. Rasa (mood or inner significance) is achieved through six chitra (limbs), including line, size, colour, beauty and resemblance to reality. These evoke different ‘emotional flavours’ for a viewer who is sahridaya (of the same heart). Featuring portraits, architectural studies, and painted stories of divine and sensual love, The Eye Divine explores how the visual qualities of Indian miniature painting create rasa and to what effect.  With their jewel-like colours and rich, intricate patterns, the artworks in The Eye Divine weave a kaleidoscopic tapestry of aesthetic delight, enlivening the soul and delighting the eye divine.

View and download the full events programme for The Eye Divine.

Date
Curated by
Emma Jameson
Location
Mezzanine level

Artworks on display

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Not on display

Couple embracing
Couple embracing

Unknown artist

Production date
18th century-19th century
Medium
tempera on paper
Size (h x w)
286 x 320 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on loan from Gretchen Albrecht and James Ross, Auckland
Accession no
L2016/35/2
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Not on display

Krishna and Gopis playing on a swing (hindola)
Krishna and Gopis playing on a swing (hindola)

Unknown artist Jodhpur School

Production date
early 20th century
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
305 x 216 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1970
Accession no
1970/17/2
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Not on display

Death of a White Elephant (Kanada Ragini)
Death of a White Elephant (Kanada Ragini)

Unknown artist

Production date
late 18th century
Medium
gouache
Size (h x w)
338 x 250 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2003
Accession no
2003/40/3
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Not on display

Apsara
Apsara

Unknown artist

Production date
10th century-12th century
Medium
pink sandstone
Size (h x w)
787 x 317 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1970
Accession no
1970/17/1
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Not on display

Folio from the Mahabharata
Folio from the Mahabharata

Unknown artist Late Kangra School

Production date
19th century
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
286 x 400 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/4
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Not on display

Kothee (Kothi or Palace)
Kothee (Kothi or Palace)

Company School

Production date
mid 19th century
Medium
watercolour
Size (h x w)
225 x 283 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/8
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Not on display

Krishna and the Gopis
Krishna and the Gopis

Unknown artist Kulu School

Production date
19th century
Medium
gouache
Size (h x w)
206 x 293 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2003
Accession no
2003/40/2
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Not on display

Krishna with the five Pandavas
Krishna with the five Pandavas

Unknown artist Late Kangra School

Production date
19th century
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
286 x 400 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/3
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Not on display

Man with fly whisk on black background
Man with fly whisk on black background

Unknown artist

Production date
18th century-19th century
Medium
tempera on paper
Size (h x w)
410 x 316 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on loan from Gretchen Albrecht and James Ross, Auckland
Accession no
L2016/35/3
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Not on display

Koorsee Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audiences). Red Fort, Delhi.
Koorsee Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audiences). Red Fort, Delhi.

Unknown artist

Production date
late 19th century
Medium
watercolour
Size (h x w)
130 x 206 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/7
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Not on display

Man with fly whisk over his shoulder, with blue border
Man with fly whisk over his shoulder, with blue border

Unknown artist

Production date
18th century-19th century
Medium
tempera on paper
Size (h x w)
417 x 335 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on loan from Gretchen Albrecht and James Ross, Auckland
Accession no
L2016/35/6
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Not on display

Man with sword on green background
Man with sword on green background

Unknown artist

Production date
18th century-19th century
Medium
tempera on paper
Size (h x w)
418 x 336 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on loan from Gretchen Albrecht and James Ross, Auckland
Accession no
L2016/35/4
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Not on display

Posthumous Portrait of Raja Man Singh, Kacchwaha rule of Amber
Posthumous Portrait of Raja Man Singh, Kacchwaha rule of Amber

Unknown artist

Production date
20th century
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
305 x 216 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1970
Accession no
1970/17/3
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Not on display

Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini
Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini

Unknown artist Late Kangra School

Production date
early 20th century
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
286 x 400 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/1
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Not on display

Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini
Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini

Unknown artist Late Kangra School

Production date
early 20th century
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
286 x 400 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/2
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Not on display

Motee Musjid - Pearl Mosque, Red Fort, Delhi
Motee Musjid - Pearl Mosque, Red Fort, Delhi

Company School

Production date
mid 19th century
Medium
watercolour
Size (h x w)
193 x 274 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/5
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Not on display

A nobleman visiting a holy man, each with their attendant
A nobleman visiting a holy man, each with their attendant

Unknown artist Sikh School

Production date
circa 1850
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
254 x 205 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Accession no
U/206
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Not on display

Noor gudh
Noor gudh

Company School

Production date
late 19th century
Medium
watercolour
Size (h x w)
127 x 207 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr Paul R C Potter, 1970
Accession no
1970/31/6
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Not on display

Gobind Singh Holding a Hawk, with Two Servants in Attendance
Gobind Singh Holding a Hawk, with Two Servants in Attendance

Unknown artist Sikh School

Production date
circa 1850
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
242 x 189 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Accession no
U/208
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Not on display

Philosophers in discussion
Philosophers in discussion

Unknown artist

Production date
18th century-19th century
Medium
tempera on paper
Size (h x w)
345 x 260 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on loan from Gretchen Albrecht and James Ross, Auckland
Accession no
L2016/35/1
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Not on display

Religious man being transported on an elephant
Religious man being transported on an elephant

Unknown artist Sikh School

Production date
circa 1850
Medium
tempera
Size (h x w)
233 x 161 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Accession no
U/209
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Not on display

Dancing woman
Dancing woman

Unknown artist

Production date
18th century-19th century
Medium
tempera on paper
Size (h x w)
407 x 326 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on loan from Gretchen Albrecht and James Ross, Auckland
Accession no
L2016/35/5