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Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979) is widely regarded as the outstanding
English landscape painter of the 20th century. Immediately
recognisable by its daring yet subtle use of colour and brushmark
to evoke the spirit of place, his work is to be found in public and
private collections throughout the world. This is the definitive
study of Hitchens' life and work. Peter Khoroche draws on the
painter's published writings, correspondence and conversation to
create a critical reappraisal of Hitchens' theory and practice. He
surveys the entire oeuvre (still-lifes, flower pieces, nudes,
interiors and large-scale murals besides the landscapes), a huge
legacy of work spanning sixty years, and charts the journey from
conventional beginnings to 'figurative abstraction'. A selection of
over 100 colour images, examples of Hitchens' best and most
characteristic painting in all genres, provide a retrospective
exhibition covering the artist's entire career. These
illustrations, singled out for praise by reviewers of the hardback
edition, demonstrate the artist's outstanding talents and reinforce
his standing as a key figure in the history of British art.
Here is one of the most entertaining masterpieces of Sanskrit
literature rendered in an English translation that fully captures
the original's artistry and charm.
Written most probably in the fourth century A.D., the Jatakamala is
generally considered the masterpiece of Buddhist literature in
Sanskrit. In elegant, courtly style, Arya Sura retells thirty-four
traditional stories about the Buddha in his previous incarnations,
human and animal. Whether as a king, a brahmin, a monkey, or a
hare, the Great One is shown in assiduous pursuit of virtue and
compassion. Though primarily intended as exemplary tales
illustrating the Buddhist virtues, these stories also provide a
vivid picture of life at a high point in ancient Indian
culture--city life in ordinary households or at the royal court,
and country life against a backdrop of mountain, desert, and
jungle.
Fresh study of the Sanskrit manuscripts, now scattered in libraries
all over the world, has enabled Peter Khoroche to make this new
translation faithful to the original in both style and content. His
explanatory notes will assist student and general reader alike in
appreciating this classic from an ancient and exotic civilization.
"The general reader will be highly grateful for this new
translation which, besides being beautifully printed, is rounded
off with a very informative and reliable introduction."--Renate
Sohnen-Thieme, "Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African
Studies
""One would be a fool not to welcome the chance to read this
book."--Richard Gombrich, "Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society"
Written in Kashmir around 400 CE, Haribhatta's Jatakamala is a
remarkable example of classical Sanskrit literature in a mixture of
prose and verse that for centuries was known only in its Tibetan
translation. But between 1973 and 2004 a large portion of the
Sanskrit original was rediscovered in a number of anonymous
manuscripts. With this volume Peter Khoroche offers the most
complete translation to date, making almost eighty per cent of the
work available in English. Haribhatta's Jatakamala is a
sophisticated and personal adaptation of popular stories, mostly
non-Buddhist in origin, all illustrating the future Buddha's
single-minded devotion to the good of all creatures, and his
desire, no matter what his incarnation man, woman, peacock,
elephant, merchant or king to assist others on the path to nirvana.
Haribhatta's insight into human and animal behaviour, his
astonishing eye for the details of landscape and his fine
descriptive powers together make this a unique record of everyday
life in ancient India as well as a powerful statement of Buddhist
ethics. This translation will be a landmark in the study of
Buddhism and of the culture of ancient India.
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