The History of Art: Contemporary Perspectives contains selected essays on history of art. Articles contributed by eminent scholars and art historians cover various aspects of art history, and Indian art through the ages. Thirty selected papers in this volume deal with varied aspects of history of art and forms - stone sculptures, bas reliefs, terracotta, ivory, bronzes, coins, murals, manuscript and miniature paintings, folk art, textiles, etc. Subjects discussed in detail include sculptures of Varaha, Laksmi, Siva, Surya, Brahma, Skanda, Buddha, Apsaras, Naga, Nagini, Manasa, Hariharhiranyagarbha, Krsna, Balarama, Devi, Chamunda, Kubera, Trivikrama, Jinas, Yaksa, paintings of Ragamala, Gita Govinda, Bhagavata, etc. Contributions by eminent art-historians and archaeologists cover famous centers of art from a vast geographic area - Sanchi, Deorkuthar, Satdhara, Dhauli, Mathura, Ujjain, Udayagiri-Khandagiri, Sarnath, Ajanta, Deogarh, Nalanda, Kurkihar, Hingalajgarh, Chechar, Khajuraho, Lepakshi, Modhera, Bhubaneswar, Kangra, Guler, Agra, etc.

The volume covering varied aspects and forms, vast area and period, illustrated with over 150 drawings and images would be a delight to art historians, archaeologists, artist, architects, and also to every art lover, students and common readers.

About the Author

Professor Alok Tripathi (b. 1965) is a young leading archaeologist in the country. Presently Head, Department of History in the Assam University, Silchar, he has conducted researches and fieldworks in the Archaeological Survey of India, in different capacities in circles, museums, Institute of Archaeology, and founded Underwater Archaeology Wing. As a deep sea diver he is a renowned authority in Asia-pacific region on underwater archaeology. He holds equal authority in other branches of archaeology excavations, heritage management, laws, remote sensing, museuology, art and architecture, and art-history. Widely travelled in several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, he has successfully executed many prestigious projects and directed important archaeological excavations on land as well as underwater. Author and editor of over 10 monographs and 75 research papers he was listed among the ten brightest young scientists in the country.

D.R. Gehlot (b. 1951), Joint Director-General, in Archaeological Survey of India, is a senior archaeologist with long field experience. After obtaining M.A. in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology from Rajasthan University, Jaipur, he joined the ASI and worked in different capacities in museums, Institute of Archaeology, Customs and Circles. He has carried out archaeological explorations, organised museums and executed challenging projects of conservation of the ancient monuments in different parts of the country. He has visited Angola, Japan, Italy, Cambodia and has published several research papers on art and archaeology.