🐘Buddhist Arts of Asia Unit 7 – Buddhist Art: Gandhara and Mathura

Historical Context

• Gandhara and Mathura were two major centers of Buddhist art production in ancient India during the 1st-5th centuries CE
• Gandhara, located in present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, was a crossroads of cultural exchange between the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the Hellenistic world
• Mathura, situated in north-central India, was an important city and a hub for Buddhist monasticism and artistic patronage
• The rise of the Kushan Empire (1st-3rd centuries CE) fostered the growth and development of Buddhist art in both regions
• Gandharan art flourished under the patronage of the Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Kushan rulers
  • These rulers supported the establishment of Buddhist monasteries and the creation of religious art
• Mathura art thrived during the reigns of the Kushan and Gupta dynasties (1st-6th centuries CE)
• The historical context of these regions shaped the distinct artistic styles and iconographic traditions of Gandharan and Mathura Buddhist art

Key Characteristics of Gandharan Art

• Gandharan art is known for its Greco-Roman influence, resulting from the region's exposure to Hellenistic culture
• Sculptures depict the Buddha and bodhisattvas with realistic anatomical features, flowing drapery, and idealized facial expressions
  • These features reflect the influence of classical Greek and Roman art
• Gandharan art often employs the use of schist, a metamorphic rock, as a medium for sculpture
• Narratives from the life of the Buddha, such as the Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon, and Parinirvana, are commonly depicted in Gandharan art
• The art style is characterized by a sense of naturalism, three-dimensionality, and attention to detail
• Gandharan art introduced the iconic representation of the Buddha in human form, a departure from earlier symbolic representations
• The use of haloes and mandorlas to signify the Buddha's spiritual status is prevalent in Gandharan art

Distinctive Features of Mathura Art

• Mathura art is characterized by its indigenous Indian style, with influences from local artistic traditions
• Sculptures are often made of red sandstone, a material abundant in the region
• The Buddha and bodhisattvas are depicted with more stylized and idealized features compared to the realism of Gandharan art
  • Figures have broad shoulders, slim waists, and voluptuous forms, reflecting Indian aesthetic ideals
• Mathura art emphasizes the spiritual and transcendental aspects of the Buddha and bodhisattvas through the use of symbolic gestures (mudras) and attributes
• The art style incorporates decorative elements such as jewelry, headdresses, and ornate thrones
• Yaksha and yakshi figures, nature spirits associated with fertility and abundance, are commonly depicted in Mathura art
• Mathura art often portrays the Buddha and bodhisattvas in a seated or standing posture, with the right hand raised in the abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness)

Influential Patrons and Dynasties

• The Kushan Empire, particularly under the reign of Kanishka I (c. 127-150 CE), was a significant patron of Buddhist art in Gandhara and Mathura
  • Kanishka's support led to the construction of numerous Buddhist monasteries and the production of religious art
• The Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian rulers, who preceded the Kushans in the Gandhara region, also patronized Buddhist art and contributed to the development of the Gandharan style
• The Satavahana dynasty (1st century BCE-2nd century CE) in the Deccan region of India supported Buddhist art production, including at the Amaravati Stupa
• The Gupta Empire (4th-6th centuries CE) patronized Buddhist art in Mathura and other parts of northern India
  • Gupta period art is known for its refinement, elegance, and the use of bronze and terracotta materials
• Royal and wealthy lay patrons, including merchants and guilds, commissioned Buddhist art and donated it to monasteries as acts of merit and devotion

Iconic Buddhist Imagery and Symbolism

• The Buddha is the central figure in Buddhist art, often depicted in iconic scenes from his life and teachings
  • Common scenes include the Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon, Miracle at Sravasti, Descent from Tushita Heaven, and Parinirvana
• Bodhisattvas, beings who postpone their own enlightenment to help others, are frequently depicted in Gandharan and Mathura art
  • Popular bodhisattvas include Maitreya (the future Buddha), Avalokiteshvara (the bodhisattva of compassion), and Manjushri (the bodhisattva of wisdom)
• The Buddha's physical characteristics, known as the 32 major and 80 minor marks of a Great Man (Mahapurusha), are symbolically represented in Buddhist art
  • These include the ushnisha (cranial protuberance), urna (dot between the eyebrows), elongated earlobes, and wheel marks on the palms and soles
• Mudras, or hand gestures, convey specific meanings and teachings in Buddhist art
  • Common mudras include the abhaya (fearlessness), varada (generosity), dhyana (meditation), and bhumisparsha (earth-touching, associated with the Buddha's enlightenment)
• The Buddha's throne, often depicted as a lotus or a lion throne, symbolizes his spiritual authority and transcendence
• The wheel (dharmachakra) represents the Buddha's teachings (dharma) and the path to enlightenment
• The bodhi tree, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, is a common symbolic element in Buddhist art

Materials and Techniques

• Gandharan art primarily used schist, a metamorphic rock, for sculptural works
  • Schist was favored for its durability and ability to capture fine details
• Stucco, a plaster-like material, was also used in Gandharan art for architectural decoration and smaller sculptures
• Mathura art predominantly used red sandstone, which was readily available in the region
  • The softness of red sandstone allowed for intricate carving and sculptural details
• Both Gandharan and Mathura art employed stone carving techniques, including chiseling, drilling, and polishing
• The lost-wax method, a bronze casting technique, was used in Mathura art to create small-scale sculptures and ritual objects
• Terracotta, a clay-based material, was used for smaller votive sculptures and architectural decorations in both regions
• Pigments and gilding were applied to some sculptures to enhance their visual appeal and symbolism
  • Colors such as red, blue, green, and gold had specific symbolic meanings in Buddhist art

Cultural Exchange and Artistic Influences

• Gandharan art reflects the cultural exchange between the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the Hellenistic world
  • The region's location along the Silk Roads facilitated the transmission of artistic styles and ideas
• The influence of Greco-Roman art is evident in the naturalistic and idealized depictions of the Buddha and bodhisattvas in Gandharan art
  • The use of contrapposto, realistic drapery, and classical facial features reflects this influence
• Mathura art, while primarily indigenous in style, also shows some influence from Persian and Central Asian art traditions
  • This can be seen in the use of decorative elements and the stylization of figures
• The interaction between Gandharan and Mathura art styles led to the development of a syncretic artistic tradition in the region
• Buddhist art from Gandhara and Mathura influenced the artistic traditions of Central Asia, China, and Southeast Asia as Buddhism spread along trade routes
  • The iconic representation of the Buddha in human form, which originated in Gandhara, became a standard feature in Buddhist art across Asia

Legacy and Impact on Later Buddhist Art

• Gandharan and Mathura art laid the foundation for the development of Buddhist art in India and beyond
• The iconic representation of the Buddha in human form, pioneered by Gandharan art, became a fundamental aspect of Buddhist art throughout Asia
  • This shift from symbolic to anthropomorphic representation marked a significant milestone in Buddhist artistic tradition
• The naturalistic style of Gandharan art influenced the development of Buddhist art in Central Asia, particularly in the regions of Bamiyan (Afghanistan) and Kizil (present-day Xinjiang, China)
• Mathura's indigenous style and emphasis on spiritual symbolism had a lasting impact on Indian Buddhist art, particularly during the Gupta period (4th-6th centuries CE)
• The artistic conventions and iconography established in Gandharan and Mathura art were adopted and adapted by later Buddhist artistic traditions in China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia
  • For example, the Greco-Roman influenced depiction of the Buddha's robes in Gandharan art can be seen in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist sculptures
• The legacy of Gandharan and Mathura art extends beyond the realm of Buddhism, as their artistic styles and techniques influenced the development of Hindu and Jain art in India
• The study of Gandharan and Mathura art provides valuable insights into the cultural, religious, and artistic exchanges that shaped the development of Buddhist art in ancient India and beyond