
Art Informant
Isabelle Imbert
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Top 10 Art Informant Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Art Informant episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Art Informant for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Art Informant episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Architecture and Material Politics in the 15th c. Ottoman Empire with Patricia Blessing
Art Informant
06/13/22 • 70 min
In the last episode of the first season of the ART Informant, Isabelle Imbert welcomes Patricia Blessing, Assistant Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture. Patricia specialises in the history of architecture in medieval Turkey. She published her first book in 2014, titled Rebuilding Anatolia after the Mongol Conquest: Islamic Architecture in the Lands of Rūm, 1240–1330, and is presenting today her second book, forthcoming in July 2022, Architecture and Material Politics in the Fifteenth-century Ottoman Empire (Cambridge University Press). Through the book, Isabelle and Patricia discuss multisensory architecture, artistic networks, the evolution of Turkish Ottoman architecture and the process of publishing a scientific book.
If you've liked this episode and want to support, please consider donating. Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and Twitter
- Patricia Blessing, Architecture and Material Politics in the Fifteenth-century Ottoman Empire , Cambridge University Press, Forthcoming July 2022.
- Patricia Blessing, Rebuilding Anatolia after the Mongol Conquest: Islamic Architecture in the Lands of Rūm, 1240–1330, Ashgate, 2014.
- Olga Bush, Reframing the Alhambra, Architecture, Poetry, Textiles and Court Ceremonial, Edinburgh University Press, 2018.
- Sensory Reflections, Traces of Experience in Medieval Artifacts, in Sense, Matter, and Medium, vol. 1, Fiona Griffiths, Kathryn Starkey (eds.), De Gruyter, 2019.
- Deborah Howard and Laura Moretti, Sound and Space in Renaissance Venice: Architecture, Music, Acoustics, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009 (unavailable on the publisher's website but can be purchased second hand on other specialised websites).
- Bissera V. Pentcheva, Hagia Sophia: Sound, Space, and Spirit in Byzantium, University Park, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2017.
- Michael Meinecke, Patterns of Stylistic Changes in Islamic Architecture, Local Traditions Versus Migrating Artists, New York University Press, 1996.
- Sara Nur Yıldız, “From Cairo to Ayasuluk: Hacı Paşa and the Transmission of Islamic Learning to Western Anatolia in the Late Fourteenth Century,” Journal of Islamic Studies 25, no. 3 (2014): 263–97.
- Gülru Necipoğlu, The Age of Sinan: Architectural Culture in the Ottoman Empire. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2005 (unavailable on the publisher's website but can be purchased second hand on other specialised websites).
- Gülru Necipoğlu, Architecture, Ceremonial, and Power – The Topkapi Palace in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991.
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Curating Islamic Manuscripts with Nur Sobers-Khan
Art Informant
03/18/24 • 63 min
In this episode, Isabelle Imbert welcomes Nur Sobers-Khan, doctor in Islamic studies and curator of Islamic arts. Nur started working in curation immediately after getting her Ph.D. in 2012, and has since worked in several collections, looking at Islamic manuscripts, but also objects and archival material. Her various experiences constitute a great opportunity to learn more about the different layers of a curator role and the skills learned along the way. In the episode, she talks about the different institutions she has worked in, as well as her ongoing research on South-Asian manuscripts and the so-called Delhi collection of manuscripts in the British Library.
If you've liked this episode and want to support the Podcast, buy me a coffee!Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and X
- Follow Nur Sobers-Khan on Academia, X, Instagram and LinkedIn
- Exhibitions:
- Marvellous Creatures : Animal Fables in Islamic Art, exhibition catalogue from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, 2015
- 'Building Our Collection: Mughal and Safavid Albums' Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, 2015
- Qajar Women: Images of Women in 19th-century Iran (Milan: Silvana Editoriale, 2016)
- Doctoral research:
- Slaves Without Shackles: Forced Labour and Manumission in the Galata Court Registers, 1560–1572 (Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag, 2014)
- The "Delhi library" in the British Library:
- “Muslim Scribal Culture in India Around 1800: Towards a Disentangling of the Mughal Library and Delhi Collection” in Scribal Practice and the Global Cultures of Colophons, 1400-1800 New Transculturalisms, ed. C.D. Bahl and S. Hanß (Switzerland, 2022)
- Exhibitions:
- More information on the "Delhi Library":
- Dr Saqib Baburi, "Sufism and Persian Manuscripts from the Delhi Collection, British Library", talk given at the British Library in 2018 (audio)
- "Learning Lessons from the Cyber-Attack", British Library cyber incident review,

Collecting Sikh art with Davinder Toor
Art Informant
05/30/22 • 100 min
In today’s episode, Isabelle Imbert takes a small step aside from what is generally considered as Islamic art to welcome Davinder Toor, published art collector specialised in the artistic productions of the Sikh, a religion born in the hills of Punjab in India in the 16th century, and practised today around the world. Davinder first took an interest in Sikh art when he was 17 years old, and started actively collecting a few years later. In the episode, they talk about the conception of his extensive collection and how he approaches acquisitions and deaccessions, but also about the growing market of Sikh art, the inherent risks for new collectors, and storytelling through art for the current and the next generations of Sikhs.
If you've liked this episode and want to support, please consider donating. Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and Twitter
- Follow Davinder on Instagram
- Davinder Toor's personal website and Toor Collection's website
- In the Pursuit of Empire, Treasures from the Toor collection of Sikh Art, Kashi House, 2018
- Punjab Heritage Association
- A History of the world in 100 objects, Neil McGregor, BBC
- Sikh artists mentioned by Davinder:
- Click here for more episodes of the ART Informant.
Click here to see the reproductions of objects discussed in the episode.

10/03/22 • 82 min
Isabelle Imbert welcomes Dr Melanie Gibson, Art Historian specialised in Islamic ceramics, editor of the art history series at Ginkgo library, and board member and scientific advisor of the Leighton House in London. Melanie has been involved in teaching, research and edition for many years and has a wealth of experience to share. She has also participated in the restoration of the Arab hall in the London house of 19th century British artist Frederick Leighton, which will reopen to the public on the 15th October. Melanie gives us a tour of the house and explain in great details the intricacies of its breathtaking decors and the constitution of Leighton's collection.
If you've liked this episode and want to support, by me a coffee!
Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and Twitter
- Follow Melanie Gibson on Instagram and Academia
- Melanie Gibson, "'An Oriental Kiosk': The Building of the 'Arab Hall' at Leighton House in London", Orientations, 2020 (on academia.edu)
- Gingko Library's website
- Leighton House, London (official website)
- Shahrzad Ghaffari's website (artist responsible for the new mural in Leighton House)
- Owen Jones, The Grammar of Ornament, 1856 (on archive.org)
- Click here for more episodes of the ART Informant.
Click here to see the reproductions of artefacts discussed in the episode.

Introduction to Art Law with Alexander Herman
Art Informant
11/13/23 • 81 min
In today’s episode, we take a step aside from Islamic & Indian art history to welcome Alexander Herman, director of the Institute of Art & Law in London. Alexander is specialised in the complex legislation of art and cultural heritage, and has recently published The Parthenon Marble dispute: Heritage, Law, Politics (Bloomsbury). In the episode, he offers the most valuable introduction to cultural heritage and provenance laws. He talks about his investigation in the dispute surrounding the Parthenon marbles, as well as several high profile cases involving art pieces, protection of cultural heritage and how to make sure the art you buy is legal and protected.
If you've liked this episode and want to support the Podcast, buy me a coffee!
Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and X
- Follow Alexander Herman on X and LinkedIn
- The Institute of Art and Law
- Alexander Herman, The Parthenon Marbles Dispute: Heritage, Law, Politics, Bloomsbury , 2023 (Bloomsbury)
- The 1970 UNESCO convention
- The 1954 Hague Convention
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 for protection of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria
- The 1995 UNIDROIT convention
- Anne-Marie O'Connor, The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt's Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, Knopf Doubleday: 2015 (Amazon)
- Peter Watson, The Medici Conspiracy: The Illicit Journey of Looted Antiquities. From Italy's Tomb Raiders to the World's Greatest Museums, PublicAffairs, 2007 (Amazon)
- Art Law Podcast: "Turkey’s Quest for the Stargazer", part 1, 2 Dec. 2021
- Art Law Podcast: "Turkey’s Quest for the Stargazer", part 2, 2 Mar 2022
- The Art Loss Register
- The Lost Art Database
- The ICOM Red Lists
- Alexander Herman, "Methods of Securing Returns: Tough Stance of New York District Attorney Over Ancient Persian Artefact", Art, Antiquity and Law, Vol 23, Issue 4, 2018 (get in touch for a free copy)
Click here to see the reproductions of artifacts discussed in the episode.

11/21/21 • 62 min
This is it, the first episode of the Art Informant! Isabelle Imbert sits with Camille Célier, Islamic and Indian arts expert at Ader Nordman, and Romain Pingannaud, founder of Pingannaud-David expertise, to discuss the passing of Marie-Christine David, her legacy and the upcoming auction of her collection. Also, what do experts do with fakes? And why is documenting object provenance so important? These difficult questions are answered!
If you've liked this episode and want to support, please consider donating.
Mentioned in the episode and Further Links
- Check Ader Nordman next auction catalogue
- The Islamic piece Camille would add to her collection
- The Islamic piece Romain would add to his collection
- Follow Camille Célier and Pingannaud-David on Instagram
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram
- Follow Isabelle Imbert on Instagram and LinkedIn
Click here to see the reproductions of artworks discussed in the episode.

ART Informant Trailer
Art Informant
11/17/21 • 1 min
A space for lovers, actors and welcomers to Islamic and Indian arts, to explore the actuality of the art market, exhibition and research.
Every episode, join Isabelle Imbert as the Art Informant in conversations with specialists of the Islamic and Indian art history and art market.

12/12/22 • 80 min
In the last episode of 2022, Isabelle Imbert welcomes Nilosree Biswas, Indian filmmaker and writer, author of Banaras: Of Gods, Humans and Stories and Alluring Kashmir: The Inner Spirit, as well as her latest book, Calcutta on your plate. Nilos grew up in Calcutta and has an intimate knowledge of its culinary cuisine, but through her book, she writes the history and tells the story of colonialism, communities, and particularly women. Through her knowledge and skills for storytelling, she paints the rich and complex cultural landscape of the city. This was a very enlightening conversation about an enlightening book.
If you've liked this episode and want to support, by me a coffee!
Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and Twitter
- Follow Nilosree on Instagram and Twitter
- Get your copy of Calcutta on your plate
- Click here for more episodes of the ART Informant.

11/28/22 • 56 min
This episode is part 2 of the interview with Dr Rachel Parikh, doctor in Islamic and Indian art history and curator specialised in arms and armours. In Part 1, her and the host, Dr Isabelle Imbert talked about her career as an art historian, her research on the Falnama manuscript in the Khalili collection, and her shift to curating. In this episode, they continue their conversation and focus on arms and armours of the Islamic and South-Asian lands. This is a very large field of inquiry, with few specialists and many unknowns, so Rachel was the perfect guest to talk about it and share her passion.
Trigger warning: this episode contains mentions to killing and certain details regarding executions.
If you've liked this episode and want to support, buy me a coffee!
Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and Twitter
- Follow Rachel Parikh on Instagram
- Rachel Parikh, The Khalili Falnama, London: Khalili Foundation, 2022
- Exhibition "Power and Piety: Islamic Talismans on the Battlefield", curated by Rachel Parikh
- Click here for more episodes of the ART Informant.
Click here to see the reproductions of artefacts discussed in the episode.

12/16/24 • 82 min
Isabelle Imbert welcomes Dr Corinne Muehlemann, Assistant Professor and Chair of the History of Textile Arts at the Institute of Art History in the University of Bern. Corinne is one of the rare specialists of silks produced during the Middle-Ages in the Islamic lands, especially in Iran and Spain. In the episode, she talks about striped silks produced in Iran under the Ilkhanid dynasty (1256-1335), the transfer of textile knowledge and technique in the Mediaeval Islamic lands and beyond, as well as the contributions of woman textile curators and conservators to the field of Islamic textile history.
If you've liked this episode and want to support the Podcast, buy me a coffee!Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and X
- Follow Corinne Muehlemann on Academia and Instagram
- Corinne Mühlemann, Complex Weaves, Technique, Text, and Cultural History of Striped Silks , Didymos-Verlag, 2023
- C. Mühlemann,Matthew Payne,Helen Wyld,Elizabeth A. New, "Veiled in precious cloth: a seal bag from Westminster Abbey and its connections with Charlemagne’s shrine in Aachen", The Burlington Magazine, vol. 166, no. 1461 (Dec. 2024)
- Olga Bush, Reframing the Alhambra: Architecture, Poetry, Textiles and Court Ceremonial, Edinburgh University Press, 2018
- Avinoam Shalem, The Chasuble of Thomas Becket: A Biography, Hirmer, 2017
- Ahmad Ghabin, Hisba, Arts and Craft in Islam: 7 (Arabisch-Islamische Welt in Tradition Und Moderne), Harrassowitz, 2009
- Click here for more episodes of the ART Informant.
Click here to see the reproductions of artefacts discussed in the episode.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Art Informant have?
Art Informant currently has 41 episodes available.
What topics does Art Informant cover?
The podcast is about History, Podcasts and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Art Informant?
The episode title 'History of the Falname (Book of Omens) with Rachel Parikh' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Art Informant?
The average episode length on Art Informant is 68 minutes.
How often are episodes of Art Informant released?
Episodes of Art Informant are typically released every 21 days.
When was the first episode of Art Informant?
The first episode of Art Informant was released on Nov 17, 2021.
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