Gandhara vs Mathura Art
Notes
| Feature | Gandhara | Mathura |
|---|---|---|
| Region | NW (Taxila, Peshawar, Swat) | Mathura, UP |
| Influence | Greco-Roman/Hellenistic | Indigenous |
| Patrons | Kushanas (Kanishka), Indo-Greeks | Kushanas, Shakas |
| Material | Grey/blue schist, stucco | Spotted red sandstone |
| Religion | Almost exclusively Buddhist | Buddhist, Jain and Hindu |
| Buddha's look | Realistic, wavy hair, heavy drapery, moustache in some, meditative and spiritual | Round smiling face, muscular body, thin transparent drapery, shaved head with ushnisha, lotus seat |
| Emphasis | Anatomical realism, Apollo-like face | Energy, sensuousness, inner joy |
Key Points
- The headless statue of Kanishka is from Mathura.
- Mathura is the likely source of the first Buddha images (debated), and it influenced Gupta sculpture.
- Gandhara is also called the Greco-Buddhist or Indo-Greek school.
- Mathura figures include Yakshas, Yakshis, Tirthankaras and Vishnu/Shiva images.
MCQs
1. Which school used spotted red sandstone?
(a) Gandhara
(b) Mathura
(c) Amaravati
(d) Sarnath
Answers: 1-b
2. Greco-Roman influence is found in:
(a) Mathura
(b) Gandhara
(c) Pala
(d) Chola
Answers: 2-b
3. Which of the following is correct about Mathura art?
1. Indigenous in origin
2. Only Buddhist themes
3. Smiling Buddha with a round face
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All
Answers: 3-b