|
|
|
| Free E-magazine |
| Subscribe to our Free E-Magazine on Sculpture. |
| Learn More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Indian Sculptures > Development of Sculptures
| |
| | Development of Sculptures
| |
| |
The study of art of sculptures is both fascinating and mysterious. The richly carved structures, architectural virtuosity and decorative brilliance mark ancient sculptures of India. The hallmarks of ancient Indian sculptures help us to establish a link of the artistic evolution. The notable art of stone carving that enlivens many of India`s temples and caves architectures. The Indian sculptural art employs architectural embellishment with remarkable effect.
In studying ancient sculptures four reigns of rulers are considered: Mauryan, Satvahanas, Khushans, and Guptas.
Among these, Mauryan is the ancient Indian dynasty started from 321 BCE, founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
 The Mauryan Empire is marked for its great achievements in art, culture architecture and literature. King Ashoka is from Mauryan dynasty. The art originated during this period led the base of sculpturing art of India in later period. Some of Ashoka`s edicts carved on pillars and rocks represent the earliest known epigraphs in our country. These pillars employs the architectural beauty is made out of shafts of sandstone. At most of the sculptures Buddhist symbols such as the wheel and the lion are carved. These pillars can be said as some of India`s earliest stone sculptures. The Lion-Capital erected by Ashoka at Sarnath in Madhya Pradesh has become the national emblem of republic India. All the coins and currency notes of modern India have a four-lion symbol on it, is the same symbol.
Amongst the oldest of India`s surviving monuments is the Sanchi stupa with its sculpted toranas represents the art of Mauryans.
Satavahanas dynasty was ruled in Southern and Central part of India starting from around 230 BCE. Satavahanas were the first ancient dynasty of Maharashtra. The glory of the Satavahanas is rightly reflected from the tradition of art and architecture, which was evolved and developed by them. The characteristic identity of them is the iconic presentation of Buddha. Such presentation in sculptures is common till this period. The famous Amaravati stupa is the masterpiece of Satavahanas art. With this the famous chaitya hall built at Karle is considered as another example of the magnificence of the Satavahana architecture. In the field of carvings and paintings also the Satavahanas art was marked, in the caves of Ajanta the painting was started during the period of Satavahanas. And in later period it continued to reach at the complete state.
 The rulers from Kushans dynasty were great patrons of art. And this truely reflects from artistic creation of this period. The period was marked for setting the principles for making sculptural images that continued to influence the art of sculpturing for many years. During the time of Khushans, Buddha was first shown in human form in this region. Earlier to this period, he was represented by using various symbols like lotus and footsteps.Also the Gandhara & Mathura School of art developed during this period.
The another Gupta Empire is also important from the point of sculptures. It was known for one of the largest political and military empires in the history of ancient India. It was ruled by the Gupta dynasty during the period of around 240 to 550 CE. The Gupta period is truly marked as the Golden age of Indian culture and art.The masterpiece of Gupta`s art is the rock temple at Elephanta near Bombay.  The temple structure contains a powerful, eighteen-foot statue of the three-headed Shiva, known as Trimurthi. This statue shows the excellent skills in rock carving. Similarly, the caves of Ajanta are also an art of Guptas. There may be another cave structures before this, but the art of Ajanta stood apart from all. These sculptures carry importance for showing perceptive delineations of a variety of human characters, expressions and moods through its appearance. The most well known work from the Ajanta caves is the "Bodhisattva Padmapani." The colorful image portrays the Buddha in Bodhisattva holding a lotus flower.
The sculptures from the period of rule of a particular dynasty present the artistic sense and imaginative power of people of that time. For studying the developmental stages of history of sculpturing art these sculptures play an important role.
| |
| |
|
