For generations, Indian art has been a bridge between the human and the divine. Its symbolism and connection with nature reflect a deep interest in the spiritual. One of the few places in Madrid where we can find works from the Asian country is the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA), which has just turned 150 years old.
To celebrate a century and a half of history in the city, the MNA presents Mystical Paths. Living traditions of Indian art: an exhibition with more than 120 contemporary works inspired by myths, legends and sacred texts from the country of the Ganges. All of them come from the Museum of Sacred Art in Belgium, which has the most important collection of contemporary Indian spiritual art in Europe.
Embroideries, painted fabrics, miniatures and other treasures.
The exhibition reflects the rich diversity of artistic currents in the country: from the kalamkari method of printing (typical of Andhra Pradesh) to the miniatures of Rajasthan, through ancient Indian embroidery techniques such as the chikankari of the north, the zardozi of the west or the banjara of the south.
Of all the pieces found here, the esoteric paintings of the Gonds stand out: an ancestral community of central India. They are characterized by using patterns made with dots, circles and strokes, created with natural pigments and tree bark brushes. His works, which represent the ancestral and traditional, are triumphing in contemporary art.
Also striking are works from Mysore and Tanjore: two schools that capture all the beauty and religious symbolism of Hindu art. The Mysore school was praised by the maharajas of the 17th and 18th centuries, and the Tanjore school was the favorite of the kings of the Maratha Empire. The artistic output of both is part of India’s classical heritage.
The exhibition will be at the MNA until Sunday, April 20. As part of the museum‘s special 150th anniversary program, admission is completely free. free. It can be visited from Tuesday to Saturday throughout the day (from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm) and on Sunday mornings (from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm).