THE RISE OF THE GUPTA DYNASTY (329-650) AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF BUDDHIST ART
In the fourth century A.D., political and military turmoil destroyed the independence of both the Kushans in the north and the kingdoms in the south under whom Buddhism had flourished. Much of the Indian sub-continent was brought under the rule of the Guptas. The political unity of India initiated an artistic unity which transcended regional boundaries. Uniform artistic standards came into effect which were set chiefly by workshops in Mathura and Sarnath. This is often considered the "classical" period of Indian art which is marked by a finished mastery in execution and a majestic serenity in expression. Gupta styles were spread to other countries by Indian missionaries or by foreign pilgrims and greatly influenced Buddhist art all over Asia.
Gupta Buddhist Images from Mathura and Sarnath
Cave Temple in Western India: Ajanta
fresco - a wall painting done in a type of plaster surface. In a dry fresco, the image is painted on after the plaster is dried; in a wet fresco, the image is painted while the plaster is still wet, causing the paint to bond with the surface.
stela - A stone slab on which relief sculpture is carved. A stela (plural: stelae) is a format frequently used for monumental works of art.
Suggested: AAI, chpt. 15