HOW is it possible that this exquisite little exhibition has not received massive coverage?
I only heard about it last week from a Tweet (or was it an Instagram post?) but I haven’t read any reviews in the papers or online. Nor have I seen a single poster.
Perhaps I’ve just missed them, but I would hate for you to do the same, so I am urging all my Delhi NCR readers to go now!
This is a gem of an exhibition, with some stunning statues and, wait for it, a Botticelli on display.
The theme linking the Asian and European art is the depiction of mother & child over the centuries – shared stories, across languages and cultures.
There are so many gorgeous pieces, I’m sharing just a few faves here:
4th-3rd century BC, from the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia in Rome (and she has twins!)
A granite statue of Jyestha from the 8th-9th century AD, from the National Museum in Delhi.
I was saddened by the terrible positioning of the museum catalogue number (below):
4th century AD, from the Telangana State Archeological Museum…complete with that wretched number. Seriously, who does that?!
There was an absolutely stunning terracotta mould from Bengal (below), dating from the 1st-3rd century AD. Since so many votive plaques of mother & child have been discovered, the theory is that moulds were used to cater to the demand.
One can almost describe it as the 1st century version of mass-produced religious objects.
But for me THE star of this beautiful little exhibition was the Botticelli:
Such an unexpected joy to see an Italian masterpiece in Delhi.
I’ve used the word “little” to describe this exhibition, and the fact is that it is, indeed, just one room in the Havells Gallery. It is therefore not at all overwhelming, the art is beautifully displayed, and – wait for it – it costs just Rs50.
Do please go – you can thank me later.
We paid for our rickets, and no-one knows that I blog and review.