HISTORY OF INDIAN ART – BUDDHIST, JAIN & HINDU ART
SEATED BUDDHA (Gupta Period, Sarnath Style)
Place: Sarnath
Medium: Stone
Circa: 5th Century A.D.
Description:
• This image of seated Buddha has been found in Sarnath,which belongs to Gupta period.
• Made in Chunar sandstone.
• Seated in Padmasana on a throne on depicting a chakra.
• Style of hand and fingers represents Dharma Chakra Pravarthana mudra. It placed just below the chest.
• The panel below the throne depicted his disciples worshipping the image of Buddha.
• This is the representation of the historical event of Dharma Chakra Pravarthana or the preaching of the Dharma.
• This image is the finest examples of the Sarnath School of Sculpture.
• The body of the image is well proportioned but slightly elongated.
• Legs are expanded in order to create visual balance in the picture space.
• Drapery clings to the body and is transparent to create the effect of integrated volume.
• The face is round, eyes are half closed. Lower lip is projecting from the base.
• Roundness cheeks have reduced than Mathura style.
• The neck is slightly elongated with two incised lines indicating folds.
• The Ushnisha has circular curled hair.
• The back of the throne is largely decorated with different motifs of flowers and creepers in a circle. The central part of the halo is plane.
Aesthetic Aspects:
SENIOR SECTION - FINE ARTS DEPT
SEATED BUDDHA-KATRA MOUNT
Kushan Period, Mathura Style)
Place: Mathura U.P.
Medium: Red Spotted Sandstone
Circa: 3rd Century A.D.
Description:
• Mathura, an ancient city and second capital of Kushanas was famous for making sculptures in purely Indian style.
• A large number of images have been found in Kushana period.
• The sculpture of Buddha from Katra Mound belongs to 3rd century A.D.
• It represents the Buddha with two Bodhisatva attendants.
• The Buddha was shown seated in Padmasana (cross folded-legs).
• Right hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, raised a little above the shoulder and the left hand is placed on the left thigh.
• The hair knot is shown with a vertically raised projection. That is called Ushnisha.
• The shoulders are broad. The Shangati (garment) covers only one shoulder but the hand has been left visible.
• The Buddha is seated on a lion throne.
• The attendant figures are identified as Padmapani and Vajrapani Bodhisattvas and one holds a Lotus and the other one Vajra. They wear crowns.
• The halo is very large – decorated with simple geometrical motifs.
• Two flying figures are also placed diagonally above the halo.
• The face of Buddha is round with fleshy cheeks.
• The belly is sculpted with controlled musculature.
Aesthetic Aspects:
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Seated Buddha Worksheet
