Art of South and Southeast Asia

Subject Buddha. Carving in side of mountain, standing over 55ft tall. Similar to Mount Rushmore.

Ancient Indus Sculpture

Ex: Indus Stamp Seals- hundreds were found in Indus Valley, people disappeared with seemingly unknown reason

*Used as marks of ownership/status

* Engraved with animals, humans, fantastic creatures (imagined), or divinity's.

* Contained inscriptions along the top edge-- unknown language, cannot be deciphered (yet)

| Further example: Priest King

* Show typical facial features of Indian sub-continent 

- Low forehead

- broad nose

- thick lips

- long, slit eyes

* Made from limestone with traces of paint

* Height only 6 and 7/8 in.

Final ex: Torso 

* Fleshy, soft appearance typical of the art of India

* Made of red sandstone

* Height 3 3/4"

Three schools of Thought (In representing Buddha)

* Gandhara - combined Hellenistic, Persian, and native style

Mathura

* Not allied with Hellenistic style, more abstract (less realistic)

Amaravati 

* Often focused on scenes from Buddha's life. More of a scene.

Buddha-Gandhara | Ex: Standing Buddha

* Earliest figures of Buddha come from Gandharan Region

* Flourished from the first century to the fifth

* Distinctly Greco-Roman

* Earliest figures had the had of Apollo with the Roman body dressed in a roman-style toga, common dress of time.

Buddha-Mathura

* Ex: Buddha and Attendants

* He is sitting down, on chair with people underneath him-- denotes power

* Made of sandstone flecked with cream-colored spots

* His right hand is raised in a gesture meaning "have no fear"

* Mathura school gives powerful impression of Buddha

* Appears powerful, and in authority, superior

Buddha-Amaravati 

* Ex: Buddha's birth, people figured in story form

* Ex: The story of the presents of king Bandhuma

* Buddha not central focus as standing, rather represents him in his interactions

Gupta period

* Guptas expanded their territories in the fourth century

* Their power prevailed for only about 166 years, yet the influene of culture was felt for centuries.

Gupta period

* Painting of Bodhisattva-- located on wall of cave in India

* Murals were painted in mineral pigments on prepared plaster surface

* Depicted episodes from the Buddha's past lives

* Appeared divine yet human.

* Very bright colored jewels, details appear almost unearthly 

Grupta period

* Another example: Standing Buddha 

* Used softer, gentler curves

* Serene faces showed other-worldy focus 

* Represented harmony

* Ears are stretched, common throughout these pieces of artwork

* Appeared divine yet human

Extra definitions

Indus valley - An Indian civilization that flourished in the Indus river basin.

Buddha - Spiritual teacher from ancient India and founder of Buddhism.

Gandhara -Combined Hellenistic, Persian, and Native styles.

toga - An Ancient Roman garment,generally a sash of about twenty feet, and wrapped around the body.

Mathura - Style not allied with Hellenistic style, rather more abstract.

Amaravati - Focused on scenes from Buddha's life.

Gupta period - Considered to be the "Classical Age" of Buddhist art and literature.

Bodhisattva - Means "enlightened existence."