Gupta’s Art Contribution in Indian Architecture
Gupta’s Art Contribution in Indian Architecture,Temple Sculpture,Vishnu temple at Tigora,Shiva Temple at Bhumar, Paravti temple at Kubir, Paravti temple at Kubir,Dashavatara temple at Deogarh,Main Features of the Gupta Art
Gupta’s Art Contribution in Indian Architecture
This period is regarded as the most creative phase so far as art was concerned. Old art forms improved and new ones evolved. Buddhist, Jaina and Hindu cave-temples were carved out of rocks, the best examples being at ones at Ajanta, Ellora and Udaygiri.
Temple Sculpture
Temple construction too attained new heights in the Gupta period. For the first time bricks and rocks were used in building temples and books were being written on this craft. Notable examples of such temples are Koteshwar, Maninag, Sanchi, and the Vishnu temple at Tigora, the Shiva Temple at Bhumar, the Paravti temple at Kubir and the Dashavatara temple at Deogarh.
Gandhara Art lost its pre-eminence and newer schools of sculpture evolved, the finest example being the beautiful Buddhist statue of Sarnath.A few other such wonderful specimens are the Manjushree abalokiteshwar statue at Sarnath, the Bodhisattava at Sanchi and the bronze statue of Buddha found at Mathura.
Main Features of the Gupta Art
In the history of Indian art and architecture, the Gupta period occupies an important place. Both the Nagara and Dravidian styles of Art evolved during this period. The Temple at Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwas near Allahabad remain important specimens of the Gupta Art.
There is no influence of the Gandhara style. But the beautiful statue of the standing Buddha at Mathura reveals a Greek style. The Buddha statue unearthed at Sarnath was an unique piece of the Gupta art.
The Bhitari monolithic pillar of Skandagupta is also remarkable. Metallurgy also made a wonderful progress during the Gupta period. The craftsmen were efficient in the art of casting metal statues and pillars. The gigantic Copper statue of the Buddha, originally found at Sultanganj has been preserved now at the Birmingham museum and was about seven and a half feet height and nearly a ton in weight.
The Delhi Iron pillar of the Gupta period is still free from rust though remaining completely exposed to sun and rain for so many centuries