Art&: Dressing in the Deccan: Politics and Portraits in the 16th–17th Centuries in Central India

In the complex political landscape of central India in the 16th and 17th centuries, portraits did more than simply convey a likeness of the sitter. They were produced at the court but then were disseminated to different markets and were exchanged during the course of diplomacy. Therefore, they served to also convey important aspects of the subject’s ethnic identity, political affiliation, and cultural aspirations. This talk by Dr. Marika Sardar will examine a selection of portraits, including examples in the Colby College Museum of Art’s collection, to explain how the figures’ dress served to reinforce those images.

This program is free and open to all. It will be recorded and available for viewing (with captioning) on our website and social media channels, the following week. This is a hybrid program, with the option to attend in-person or online. Register here.