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Origin and Salient Features of Mathura School of art
At Sanchi, Barhut or Gaya, Buddha was never depicted in a human form but was represented only as a symbol of either two footprints or wheel. Artisans from Mathura initially continued the Mauryan sculptural forms of the Yaksha and Yakshi, until a human image of Buddha appeared, which was independent of other schools of art, but later influenced by the Gandhara School. Thus, Mathura School of art is purely indigenous style. Mathura art reached its peak during the Gupta period (AD 325 to 600).
The material used in this school was the spotted red sandstone. The Mathura School of Art, noted for its vitality and assimilative character, was a result of the religious zeal of Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism. Images of Vaishnava and Shaiva faiths are also found at Mathura but Buddhist images are found in large numbers. The images of Vishnu and Shiva are represented by their weapons. Images of the Buddha, Yakshas, Yakshinis, Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities and portrait statues are profusely sculpted.
Centres of Production
The traditional centre, Mathura, remained the main art production site whereas Sarnath and Kosambi also emerged as important centres of art production.
Sculpting Features
The Jina Image and Indigenous style of Buddha's image was a remarkable feature of Mathura art. The Sarvatobhadrika image of 4 Jinas standing back to back belongs to the Mathura school. The Standing Buddhas of the Sravasthi Sarnath and Kausambhi belong to the Mathura School.
In Mathura School, there is boldness in carving the large images.
The first Mathura image makers never intended to sculpt an anatomically correct human Buddha. Their images were a composite of 32 major and 80 minor laksana, or marks. Later, the Human Buddha images evolved associated with humanly beauty and heroic ideals. Both sitting and standing posture of Buddha's statues were carved out in the Mathura school.
Buddha image at Mathura is modelled on the lines of earlier Yaksha images whereas in Gandhara it has Hellenistic features. The early images of the Buddha and the BodhisattvaA Bodhisattva means one who has essence of enlightment. Anyone who has a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all is a ..... are happy, fleshy figures with little spirituality about them. The block like compactness and smooth close-fitting robe, almost entirely devoid of folds, are replicated in the earliest standing Buddha image that belongs to the Mathura school. The volume of the images is projected out of the picture plane, the faces are round and smiling, heaviness in the sculptural volume is reduced to relaxed flesh. The garments of the body are clearly visible and they cover the left shoulder. However, in the second century AD, images got sensual with increased rotundness and became flashier. The extreme fleshiness was reduced by the third century AD and the surface features also got refined. The trend continued in the fourth century AD but later, the massiveness and fleshiness was reduced further and the flesh became more tightened. The halo around the head of Buddha was profusely decorated.
Notable Observations about Mathura School of art
- Mathura School of art is purely indigenous style.
- Spotted red sandstone has been used in this school.
- In these sculptures, Buddha was depicted as Human and the main theme was Buddha and Bodhisattavas.
- Both sitting and standing posture of Buddha's statues were carved out in the Mathura school.
- The Mathura School of Art, noted for its vitality and assimilative character, was a result of the religious zeal of Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism.
- Mathura art, however, reached its peak during the Gupta period (AD 325 to 600).
- The Jina Image and Indigenous tyle of Buddhas image was a remarkable features of Mathura art.
- The Sarvatobhadrika image of 4 jainjain Jinas standing back to back belongs to the Mathura school.
- The Standing Buddhas of the Sravasthi Sarnath and Kausambhi belong to the Mathura School.
- The sitting Buddha of Mathura School is in padmasana and soles of the feet have been decorated with Tri ratna and Dharmachakra signs.
- The presences of the two attendants by the side of Buddha who hold Chanwars is a feature of the Mathura school and this figure has been later inspired the images of Indian Deities.
Mathura School of Art Vs. and Gandhara School of Art
Factor | Mathura School | Gandhara School |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | No foreign Influence, however, later it cross fertilized with the Gandhara School. | Strong Greek influence. |
| Its development took place indigenously. | Was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit. It is also known as Graeco-Buddhist School of art. | |
| Initially inspired by Yaksha Images | Assimilating various traits of Acamenian, Parthian and Bactrian traditions into the local tradition is a hallmark of the Gandhara style | |
| Initially inspired by Hellenistic features. | ||
| Material Used | Spotted Red Sandstone | Blue-grey Mica schist / Grey Sandstone |
| Image Features | Early period: Light volume having fleshy body | Finer details and realistic images |
| Later Period: Flashiness reduced. | Buddha carved out in various Mudras. | |
| Not much attention to detailed sculpting. Buddha is stout | Curley hair, anatomical accuracy, spatial depth, and foreshortening | |
| Buddha is sometimes thin | ||
| Halo | The halo around the head of Buddha was profusely decorated. | Not decorated, generally. |
| Images are less expressive | The images are very expressive, |
Amaravati School of art
The third type of sculpture art that Flourished during the Kushana time was Amaravati School of art in the Andhra PradeshPopulation (2001 Census) : 76210007Males : 38527413Females : 37682594Sex Ratio (Females/1000 Males) : 978Density Of Population (Persons/ Square Km) : 275Urban Population % : 27.08Literacy ...... White Marble was used in this art and the themes were Buddha’s life and Jatakas tales. The curly hairs of Buddha is a feature that is influenced by the Greeks. In this school, the Kings, Princes, Palaces etc. have got prominence.
