Detail, “Nârâyana ou Vatapatrakai”, Hand-colored lithograph on paper, From or after a French copy of J. J. Chabrelie, A. Géringer, Eugène Burnouf, and Eugène Jacquet, L’Inde Francaise (French India) (Paris: Chabrelie, 1827–35), Robert J. Del Bontà collection, E079

Interpreting Religious Traditions

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Scene of Shiva seated on a leopard skin beneath a tree with Parvati and baby Ganesha, with Nandi and other related figures and other related items nearby.

“Le dieu Siva au sein de sa famille” (The god Shiva and his family), Chromolithograph and letterpress on coated paper, From a set of twelve French trading cards, Histoire de L’ Inde (History of India) (Produits Liebig “Ameliorant la cuisine,” 1939), Robert J. Del Bontà collection, E207

Shiva as an Ascetic

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Detail, “Missionary influence or how to make converts”

Detail, “Missionary influence or how to make converts”, Hand-colored aquatint with etching on paper From an English copy of Quiz, pseud., The grand master; or, Adventures of Qui Hi? In Hindostan (London: printed by T. Tegg, 1816). Robert J. Del Bontà collection, E1053

Art as a Means of Control

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Man holding a serpent.

Detail, "Dancing Serpents", Hand-colored engraving with etching on paper From an English copy of John Platts (1775–1837), The Manners and Customs of All Nations (London: Fisher, Son & Co., 1827), Robert J. Del Bontà collection, E1104

“Vagrants” and “Vagabonds”

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Illustration of devotees walking on hot coals.

“Fête du Feu” (Festival of Fire), Copperplate engraving with etching on paper, In a French copy of Pierre Sonnerat, Voyage aux Indes Orientales et a la Chine (Voyage to the Indies and China), vol. 1 (Paris: L’auteur, 1782), Robert J. Del Bontà collection

“Sublime” Ceremonies

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Ascetic man seated on a leopard-skin covered bed with his arms crossed and held above his head.

Detail, “The Fakir Praoun Poury”, Hand-colored etching with aquatint on paper, From an English copy of Frederic Schoberl (1775–1853), The World in Miniature: Hindoostan, vol. 2 (London: published for R. Ackermann, 1822), Robert J. Del Bontà collection, E974

A Tense Relationship

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Photogravure of an ascetic

Detail: “Ein Sadhu, Un sadhu, A Sadhu, Un Sadhù, Martin Hurlimann, Screened photogravure on paper In an English copy of Martin Hürlimann (1897–1984), India: the landscape, the monuments and the people (New York: B. Westermann Co., Inc., ca. 1928). Robert J. Del Bontà collection

Enduring Stereotypes

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