Wedded Bliss: The Marriage of Art and Ceremony

Weddings are among the most universal social ceremonies. Surprisingly little consideration, however, has been devoted to how this momentous rite of passage has inspired artists from diverse cultures. Wedded Bliss: The Marriage of Art and Ceremony explores aesthetic expressions related to weddings from a selection of international cultures over the past three centuries. It offers comparisons between the Euro-American "white wedding" tradition and the vibrant artistic and cultural heritage of marriage ceremonies in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific region. By examining the wedding as an impetus for creativity, this publication provides fresh insight into a familiar subject and probes a complex, often highly charged, human experience.