ARTH-233 Fantastic beasts and the Indian Ocean World
Premodern illustrations of the Indian Ocean World archive the vivid imaginings of early artists and unregulated mapmakers. We will examine how the vastness of the Indian Ocean and the enigma of life on faraway shores manifested in maps and illustrations. In addition to representations of the toothy fish, dragons, and beaked monsters of the seas, we will study the portrayal of otherness in visual narratives of the Indian Ocean. We will also discuss the role of religion in the creation of these images, and consider the significance of their perception, reception, and circulation.
Writing-Intensive (18)
Offered
Fall