ARTH 404(S) Prankster, Lover, Hero, and God: Envisioning Krishna*

As the god Vishnu's eighth incarnation, Krishna is famous for his youthful pranks, amorous exploits, and heroic conquests. This god's intense charisma has inspired not only ardent devotion from his followers, but also a diverse array of artistic representations. This seminar will examine Krishna's many manifestations and attempt to understand the political, religious, and artistic contexts in which images of this god appear and circulate. Over the course of the semester, we will make extensive use of the collection of paintings and textiles in the William's College Museum of Art. We will thus also focus on issues of collecting, connoisseurship, and the interpretive transform of objects within the museum space.
Format: seminar. Requirements: This seminar will include lively student discussion. Throughout the semester, students will be expected to complete a series of short response papers, and a 20-page final research paper. Students will also present their research to the class at the end of the semester.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected: 12). Permission of instructor.

Hour: BECKER