Schools of Art Gandhara School of Art

SCHOOLS OF ART
GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ART
 The Gandhara School of art had also developed in first century AD along with Mathura
School during reign of Kushana emperor Kanishka.
 Both Shakas and Kushanas were patrons of Gandhara School, which is known for the first
sculptural representations of the Buddha in human form. The art of the Gandhara school was
primarily Mahayana and shows Greco-Roman influence.
 Gandhara is located in the north-western part of the Indian sub-continent. The Greeks,
Mauryas, Sakas, Pahlavas and Kusanas occupied it. As a result, this place produced a mixed
culture.
 Its art, which was mainly Buddhist, was profoundly influenced by Hellenistic art.
 They produced in stucco (plasters) and stone (a kind of black stone) a large number of images
of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and also votive plaques (relief sculpture).
 The latter depicted scenes from the Buddha's life and the Jatakas.
 The Greeco-Roman style modeled the images laying stress on accuracy of anatomic details
and physical beauty (delineation of muscles, addition of moustaches, and thick transparent
drapery with large and bold fold lines).
 Famous for grace and realism this school influenced Matura School and also Chinese and
Japanese plastic art.
 The main centres from where the art pieces of Gandhara School have been found are
Jalalabad, Bamaran, Begram and Taxila.
Themes
This style of art was closely associated with Mahayana Buddhism and hence the main theme of this
art was Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Thus, it can be conjectured that in idea and conception this
style was Indian and in execution it was foreign. One example of the
Gandhara style of art is the Bamiyan Buddha statues.
Main characteristics of Gandhara Art
1. In this school of art the life size statues of Gautama

Buddha were carved. Until then, the Buddhist existence was
shown in the form of symbols like lotus, umbrella etc.
2. While carving the statues utmost care was given to the
symmetry of the body including the muscles and moustaches
which were shown in a natural setting.
3. In the specimens of the craftsmanship of this art-the folds
and turns of the clothes were exhibited with minute care and
skill.
4. In this art the ornaments that were carved on the statues
received much attention which added to the physical beauty
of the statue.
5. Polishing the statues is an important feature of this
art.
6. The specimens were mostly prepared in stone,
terracotta and clay.
7. The technique used in making the statues was Greek
but, the idea, inspiration and personality all were
Indian.
The Greco-Roman effect on Gandhara art can be traced

through:
 Halo around the head of Lord Buddha
 Buddha’s wavy hair
 The forehead lines
 Ornaments
 Drape and style of the garments
Bamiyan Buddha
Examples of Gandhara Art
The Bamyan Buddha of Afghanistan were the example of the Gandhara School. The other materials
used were Mud, Lime, Stucco. However, Marble was not used in Gandhara art. Terracotta was used
rarely. Bimaran Casket has yielded the earliest specimen of the Gandhara Art.
The Various Mudras of Buddha in Gandhara Art
In all the Buddha depicted in the Gandhara Art is shown making four types of hand gestures and this
is a remarkable feature in this art. The gestures are as follows:
Greek & Roman Influence on Gandhara Art
Roman influence
 Artistic interpretation: The legendary interpretation of Buddha is sometimes presented

through roman motifs like triton (Neptune moon, is a Greek god, messenger of sea).
 Artistic techniques: In artistic interpretation; Buddha of Gandhara is sometimes presented
through roman art techniques using vine scroll; cherub wearing Garland
 Anthropomorphic tradition: The tradition of representation of Buddha in human form is
inspired from roman anthropomorphic tradition.
 Dresses: The outer robe of Buddha of Gandhara like kaaya; antarvasa resembles to attire of
roman gods.
Greek Influence
 Greek god as protector: In many images of Buddha in Gandhara; he is seen under the
protection of Greek god Hercules.
 Vajrapani: Vajrapani found in the right hand of future Buddha is told as transformed symbol
of Hercules who is seen as protector of Buddha.
 Greek architectural influence: Some images of Buddha in Gandhara are presented in Greek
architectural environment bearing the affinity of Corinthian.
 Artistic beauty: The Apollo like face of Buddha; natural realism; wavy hair as seen in images
of Buddha in Gandhara resembles to Hellenistic tradition
 Intellectual affinity: The hallo and bun of Gandhara Buddha signifies intellectual imbibitions
of Buddha from Greek
MATHURA SCHOOL OF ART
 The origin of Mathura art form is traced back to the second century BCE under Kushan King
Kanishka, this school produced a variety of sculptures and other pieces of art for the followers
of Buddhist, Jaina and Brahmanical faiths.
 It was primarily an indigenous Jaina school of free standing sculpture centered at Mathura.
 The main traditional centre of production in this school was Mathura, and other important
centres were Sarnath and Kosambi.
 From the beginning of the Christian era it came under the patronage of the Kushanas. A
significant dimension of Mathura art is that it also produced images of kings and other
notables.
 It produced in white spotted red sandstone beautiful figures of the Buddha and the
Bodhisattvas and the Tirthankaras
 The Mathura school images include those of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Vishnu, Shiva, Yakshas,
Yakshinis, Jinas etc. representing its vitality and assimilative character as a result of the
religious zeal of Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism.
 Jina Image and Indigenous style of Buddha’s image was a remarkable feature of Mathura art.
Main Characteristics of Mathura School
 Before development of this school, Buddha was never

depicted in a human form at any of Sanchi, Barhut or Gaya.
 Buddha was represented only as symbols, mainly two
footprints or wheel.
 Artisans from Mathura initially continued to depict symbols
but gradually the human image of Buddha appeared
independent of other schools of art.
 This image of human Buddha was modelled on images of
Yakshas rather.
 The early images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattva are
happy, fleshy figures with little spirituality about them.
 The later evolution of Human form of Buddha was
associated with humanly beauty and heroic ideals. Both
sitting and standing posture of Buddha and Bodhisattvas were carved out in the Mathura
school.
 The Standing Buddhas of the Sravasthi Sarnath and Kausambhi are finest example of
Buddha image under this school
 Along with Buddha, images of Vasihnava, mainly Vishnu and its incarnations and Shaiva,
linga and mukhalinga are found. But Buddhist images are found in largest number
 Images of Vishnu and shiva are represented by their ‘Ayudha’ (weapons)
 Faces are round and smiling, heaviness in sculptural volume is reduced to relaxed flesh
 Sanghati (Garment) covered the left shoulder
 Buddha was surrounded by two Bodhisattvas – Padmapani, holding a lotus and Vajrapani,
holding a thunderbolt
 Halo around the Buddha’s head
Image of Laxmi
SARNATH SCHOOL
 Belongs to 5th Cen AD

 Seated Buddha in Padmasana posture was made in Chunar sandstone.
 Represents Dharmachakrapravattana
 Panel below the throne depicts a Chakra in the centre and a deer on either side with his
disciple
Features
 Slender body and well-proportioned but slightly elongated

 Drapery is transparent
 Round face, eyes are half closed, lower lips protruding,
roundness of cheeks has reduced
 Hands are in ‘Dharmachakrapravattana Mudra’ placed just
below the chest
 Ushanika has circular curled hair
 Images are single or with attendant figures like Padmapani
and Vajrapani
AMRAVATI SCHOOL
 Third type of school flourished during the Satvahana time

was at Amaravati and Nagarjunkonda in Andhra Pradesh.
 The sculptures of Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda are
fully inspired works and display a mastery in which
detailed ornamentation and elegance of figure sculpture
are presented
 They unfold the cultural story of a glorious people who
had adopted Buddhism as their creed and “linked it with
their dynamism both on land and sea as merchants and
mariners”
 They emphasized on dynamic images or narrative art of
‘Tribhanga posture” – three bends in the body
 Sculptures are mainly made up of marbles
 Buddhist influence reflects on the art but less emphasis on
individual features of Buddha
 Life stories of Buddha and Jataka tales have depicted
 The images of Lord Buddha from Alluru, Dharma Chakra
from Lingaraja Palli, Bodhisattvas are some of the finest
instances of the Amaravati School of art and sculpture.
The sculpted figures apparently reflect the features of Satavahana sculptures and
architectures.
Areas of Gandhara School of art Mathura School of Art
differences
Reign Kushana Dynasty Kushana Dynasty
Area Northwest Frontier Mathura
Outside influences Greek influence  Purely indigenous

 No foreign influence
Religious Buddhism  Hinduism

influence  Buddhism
Hellenistic realism
 Jainism
 Secularism
Material Used Bluish- Grey sandstone Spotted red sandstone

Grey sandstone
Features of Spiritual Buddha  Delighted Buddha

Buddha sculptures  Less spiritual
Sad Buddha
 Shaven head and face
Bearded Buddha  Muscularity
Less ornamentation  Energetic
 Graceful posture of Buddha
Great detailing  Seated in Padmasana
Buddha in Yogi postures  Buddha surrounded by two monks:
Padmapani (holding Lotus) and
Greek factors like wavy hair, Vajrapani( Holding Vajra)
large forehead, long ears  Halo around the head of Buddha
decorated with geometrical motifs
 The Standing Buddhas of the Sravasti,
Sarnath, and Kausambhi
 Sarvatobhadrika image of 4 Jain Jinas
Various Mudras of Abhayamudra- Don’t fear —

Buddha in
Bhumisparshamudra -
Gandhara Art
Touching the earth
Dhyana mudra- Meditation
Dharmachakramudra- A
preaching mudra
Question: Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.

Schools of Art Gandhara School of Art

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SCHOOLS OF ART

GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ART

Main characteristics of Gandhara Art

1. In this school of art the life size statues of Gautama

The Greco-Roman effect on Gandhara art can be traced

Examples of Gandhara Art

Greek & Roman Influence on Gandhara Art

 Artistic interpretation: The legendary interpretation of Buddha is sometimes presented

MATHURA SCHOOL OF ART

Main Characteristics of Mathura School

 Before development of this school, Buddha was never

 Belongs to 5th Cen AD

 Slender body and well-proportioned but slightly elongated

 Third type of school flourished during the Satvahana time

Reign Kushana Dynasty Kushana Dynasty

Area Northwest Frontier Mathura

Outside influences Greek influence  Purely indigenous

Religious Buddhism  Hinduism

Material Used Bluish- Grey sandstone Spotted red sandstone

Features of Spiritual Buddha  Delighted Buddha

Various Mudras of Abhayamudra- Don’t fear —

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