MCQ
Q.
Which of the following School of Sculpture were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism?
Correct Answer: A
The Sculpture of Mathura school were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
Key Points
Mathura School of Art:
- Mathura was a great centre of art and culture during the period of the Kushans.
- In Gandhara art the Greco- Roman influence is strongly present.
- In Mathura art, the important religions of India, such as Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are represented. It is believed that the first Buddha images were carved at Mathura at the same time as in the Gandhara School.
- Mathura has produced Buddha images of various dimensions. The Mathura style evolved with native spirit and elements.
- There are quite a number of female figures on the railings of the stupas, and these are beautifully attired according to Indian taste.
- The spirit of Mathura sculpture displays the peaceful atmosphere. The features are naturalistic rather than realistic.
- The Indian elements derived from the ideal yogi type, namely the lotus feet and the meditative gaze.
- Mathura artists rejected the Greco- Roman realistic features and chose naturalistic features to create the sculptures. The entire figure clothed with refinement.
Additional InformationAmaravati School of Sculpture:
- During the Satavahana period, an aesthetic movement of greater magnitude developed in Andhra Pradesh.
- Several stupas with refined sculptures of exceptional beauty are the contributions of this period.
- The sculptures belonging to Amaravati school are found in the valley of Krishna on the sites and museums of Jaggayyapetta, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.
- The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated. The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms, and linear grace.
- Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying joy of life. The sculptural remains of Amaravati, known as the 'marbles' are created by using white limestone. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
- It reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form
- Both religious and secular images were present in this style.
Gandhara School
- It was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit.
- The foreign influence is evident from the sculptures of Buddha in which they bear resemblance to the Greek sculptures.
- Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art.
- The Gandharan Buddha image was inspired by Hellenistic realism, influenced by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models.
- In this art, Buddha’s curls were altered into wavy hair.
- The head of the Buddha matched very much with Greek God Apollo.
- Gandharan sculptures show strong Greek influences in the depiction of a ‘man-god’ and of wavy hair, sandals and extensive drapery.
- The depiction of Buddha as a ‘man-god’ in Gandharan sculpture is believed to be inspired from Greek mythology.
- Some examples of Gandharan art depict both Buddha and the Greek god, Hercules.
