Painting XI

Write a short note on the Art and Architecture of Ashokan Period.

Answer:After the dreadful battle of Kalinga. Ashoka adopted his life’s mission, the Buddhist
path of righteous living and wanted to spread Buddha’s teachings of peace and non-violence,
far and wide.
Some of the finest examples of Ashoka art are the famous Ashokan pillars. These columns were
works of art, architecture and engineering.The pillar was made out of a single stone which was cut,
shaped and polished.This required great engineering mastery and bringing of massive stones from
hilltops and far off places.
The pillars form two categories – one was where the edicts were written on the already existing pillars
and second were specially made,these carried Ashoka’s message of unity. The pillar shafts were
made of a single piece of stone measuring some nine metres in height. They had a smooth polished
surface and tapered gradually towards the top and adorned a capital carved out of a single piece of
stone. The capital consisted of an inverted bell-shaped form finely carved like a lotus on which
rested a thick disc called abacus bearing the animals like bull, lion or elephant.
Messages of morality, humanity and of Buddhist concepts were inscribed for people to follow. Some
famous Ashokan pillars are from Lauriya Nandangarh in Bihar, Sanchi and Sarnath.

Lion Capital

Name - Lion Capital from Sarnath Medium - Polished sandstone Period - 3 Century B.C. Dynasty -
Mauryan -Ashoka Collection - Sarnath-Archaeological Museum, U.P
Description – The Sarnath Lion capital is the crowning piece of Ashokan Pillar erected in 3rd century
B.C. at the Deer park in Sarnath, outskirts of Varanasi where Buddha had preached his first sermon
and set the wheel of law Dharma Chakra Pravartana.
1. It is made of polished sandstone.
2. It is 7 ft in height.
3. It has four roaring lions placed back to back on a round slab called abacus which is resting
on top of an inverted bell shaped form carved like an inverted bell.
4. The four lions symbolise power, courage, pride and confidence.
5. Their facing towards the east, west, north and south signify Ashoka‟s Victory in all four
directions.
6. The four animals - lion, elephant, bull and horse alternatively with Dharma chakras are
carved with great masterly skill on abacus.
7. The four animals symbolise different aspects of Lord Buddha‟s life.
8. The Elephant symbolises the dream of Queen Maya in which an elephant enters her womb.
9. The Bull represents desire during the life of Buddha as a prince.
10. The horse represents the accomplishment of enlightenment.
11. The Dharma chakras represent the Victory of righteousness over physical force.
12. The 24 spokes stands for the continuous motivation to work for 24 hours.
13. There was probably one bigger Dharma chakra crowned in the capital.
14. The pillar bears Ashoka‟s warning as a ruler “No one shall cause division in the Order of
Monks”.
15. The lions are highly stylized as we can see the mane of the lions are carved as little
flame shaped bunches of hair and the upper lip of lions are shown by three lines.
16. Petals of the lotus have rhythmic curves and contours.
 17. The pillar has a mirror-like finish.
18. It is a national identity of the great nation.

Chauri Bearer from DidarGanj

Name - Chauri Bearer from DidarGanj Medium - Polished Sandstone Period - 3rd Century B.C.
Dynasty – Mauryas
Collection - Patna Museum, Bihar
Description –
1. The Yakshi from Patna Museum is a striking example.
2. It is named as Didar Ganj Chauri-Bearer as it was excavated from Didar Ganj.
3. It is a beautiful female figure carved out of a single stone.
4. It is 5ft 4inches tall.
5. The figure is wearing elaborate jewellery and garments.
6. The garments are draped elegantly with folds and pleats. The figure is bold and has a
mirror like shine.
7. It is carved in detail which is visible in the broad hips, narrow waist, lines on the lower
abdomen.
8. She is unable to stand erect because of her heavy top.
9. She has a fly Whisk or Chauri in her right hand.
10. She stands so calm and self-possessed which creates a powerful impact.
11. It is considered The Mona Lisa of great Indian art because of “the enigmatic half
smile on her lips”.
12. It is a symbol of great Indian artistic genius having a rare and delicate beauty and
standing in royal dignity.

Write a short note on Buddha 0f Mathura Period.

Answer: Mathura region was mainly north India. Mathura school is credited with the first
representation of the Buddha in human form Buddha of Mathura drew inspiration from Yaksha
figures of early Centuries.
Subject Matter: Mathura school also known as the indigenous school was a redirected continuation of
the old Indian Art of Bharhut and Sanchi. School drew inspiration from folk duties and themes from
day to day life. In Mathura we see works on three religions. Buddhism Statues of Buddha and Bodhi
Satvas,Jainism - tirthankaras, Hinduism Brahmanical deities, Yakshas, Yakshis and God Kubera
Portrait statues of Kushana Kings are also found. They drew inspiration from Iranian and Grew
Roman style sculptures of Mahavira, Vishnu and Shiva were also made. The theme was secular.
Material: The material for making sculpture in Mathura is spotted Red Sandstone with white and
yellow quarries of Sikri.
Main Features: The Buddha image at Mathura is modeled on the lines of earlier Yaksha
images,halo around the Buddha decorated with geometrical motifs. We see Buddha with a
Shaven face reflecting grace, muscular and energetic body seated in Padmasana with right hand
in Abhay mudra and left on thigh. Urna and Ushnisha show his enlightenment.
More stress is given to the inner beauty and facial emotions rather than bodily gestures.

Write a short note on Buddha of Gandhara Period.

Answer:The Gandhara school of Art after referred to as the Greco -Roman Buddhist school flourished
in the 2nd century AD.
The region consisted of northwestern India between the Khyber pass and the Indus River
around Peshawar and the region of the Kabul Valley in Afghanistan .
The Gandhara school is credited with the first representation of the Buddha 18 human form.
There was a definite effect of Greek art on these statues.
Gandhara also called the Eclectic school has Greco-Roman-Hellenistic technique . The Subject matter
of Gandhara art was unquestionably Buddhist depicting the image of Buddha and the legends
associated with his life from Jataka tales.
The Garments and Ornaments are also not Indian.
The most frequently used material by Gandhara artists was a soft local schist in light or dark gray
with small sparkling mica particles. They also covered the statue with gold leaf to give them a
luster in dark interiors. They also used stucco (a mixture of lime and clay).
Main Features: Buddha in Gandhara is portrayed with the head of a Greek Apollo wearing a Roman
Toga. The human head is a perfect Oval face and regular features. Eyes are almond-shaped and
slightly protruding with gentle arching eyebrows, straight nose, wavy hair, large forehead and ears.
The lips are cut beautifully with a subtle smile. The statues of Buddha are having a unique
Ornamental hair style, few sculptures are having moustaches also. Spiritual Buddha is shown in the
posture of Dhyan Mudra and Abhay Mudra. Uma and Ushnisha indicate that he hears all, sees all and
knows all.

Gupta period

This period is known to be the golden period of art. Shri Gupta who was the founder of this period .
The area covered is the whole of
Ganges valley from Ujjain to Orissa .Different forms of arts like sculpture , painting & terracotta
reached maturity , balance & naturalness of expression. No one can match their art even today. Though
we have very few art pieces of this period .But the ones which are their show the glory of Gupta art.
The sculptures included are Standing & seated figures Buddhist , Jain & hindu religion. Though the art
started in Gandhara style but developed into Mathura style. Buddha is shown clad in sanghati, having
Gandharan influence. But it has rhythmic lines in folds .At places , it clings like a wet material
showing only in hemlines. The feature & body are completely Indian . Buddha images at Sarnath
reflects dignity , calmness & contentment. The delicacy is there with final proportion & expression on
face is purely Saintly with lower eyelids and aura of peacefulness . All statues of Gupta Buddha have
carved halo . The body is given a slight bend known as Bhanga which makes it look more real &
natural . Jain Tirthankaras and Brahamanical sculptures of Vishnu, Dasavatara ,Gandharva & Apsaras
are represented in Gupta art.

Jain Tirthankara

Medium – Stone

Period – Circa 5th Century A.D

Dynasty – Gupta

Courtesy – State Museum Lucknow

1. In this statue , Jain . Vardhmana Mahavira has been engraved in the sitting position of
Padmasan mudra & both hands are kept on each other.
2. Artist has used red sand stone & it is in Mathura style of art during Gupta Period.
3. Heaviness of the figure is a basic characteristic of the Mathura style of art.
4. Hair Locks are rounded but other features like nose , eyebrow are normally designed with
acute curvature of lines.
5. Eyes are wide open with an intense Spiritual gaze.
6. Tirthankara is looking very calm , concentrating his mind in Dhyan Mudra to attain
enlightenment.
7. Some geometric shapes are engraved on the halo of Statue.
 Seated Buddha From Katra Tila

Medium – Stone( Sikri , Sandstone)

Period –3rd Century A.D.

Dynasty – Kushan Period

Collection – Mathura

Museum

1. It represents the Buddha with two Bodhisattva attendants.

2. It is shown seated in Padmasana and the right hand is in Abhaya Mudra. Left hand is
placed on the left thigh.
3. The hair Knot is shown with a vertically raised projection called Ushnisha.
4. Shoulders are broad , one covered with Sanghati but the hand is visible.
5. Buddha is seated on a lion throne.
6. The attendant figures are identified as Padmapani & Vajrapani bodhisattvas . One holds a
lotus and other one vajra.They are wearing crowns.
7. The halo around the head of Buddha is very large & decorated with Simple geometric motifs.
8. Two flying figures are also placed diagonally above the halo. Curvature of the body is also
shown delicately.
9. Face of Buddha is fleshy and round.
10. The bulge at the belly is sculpted with controlled musculature.
11. It is 69 cm in height.
12. Urna is on their forehead between the eyebrows.