Author: A Collection
Director/Composer/Na: R C Sharma
Publisher: Indian Museum Calcutta
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 20
ISBN/UPC (if available): N/A
Description
Situated between Delhi and Agra on the right bank of the Yamuna, Mathura ranks very high in the cultural history of India. All three sects of early India Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism flourished simultaneously in this region in the pre and post=Christian centuries and their followers built numerous shrines, temples, stupas, chaityas, monasteries and other establishments and installed a large of images.
The glorious past of Mathura and its rich art traditions are amply corroborated by thousand of antiquarian remains unearthed during the last one and half century. Mathura region has attracted a number of Indologists and archaeologists who have brought to light a rich sculptural wealth ranging between the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD.
The Mathura art treasures are adoring different museums, art galleries and individual collection in India and abroad. The Mathura School of Sculpture is distinguished by several characteristics. The media of artistic expression is usually the red sand stone with creamish spots on the buff sand stone. Although the religious and spiritual environment considerably influenced the art products yet the style maintained a secular spirit. The artisans worked for different creeds according to the demand of their patrons or donors but several motifs common to all faiths gave a secular shape to the e=rendering.
The Mathura style reached its Zenith in the Gupta period when the figure became slim and slender and the expression on the face was marked with a super natural bliss and serenity.
While the art activities in Mathura continued even in the Medieval period, the School lost its grace with the disintegration of the mighty Gupta rule. The sculptors probably shifted to Kannauj which was emerging as metropolis of the Northern India. A few names of sculptors have also been read and Dinna was the master artist of par excellence in the Gupta age.
This album presents a bird's eye view of the Mathura art treasures in the Indian Museum, Calcutta.
Contents
PLATES
Harem Scene (Front Cover)
Buddha in Abhaya
Homage to the Buddha
Rail Posts
Male Head
Bachanalian Scene
Hercules and Lion
Lion Capital
Buddha (Bodhgaya)
Boddha (Gupta Idiom)
Parvati
Feminine Charm