All About Gupta Sculptures

Introduction

Gupta sculptures, originating during the Gupta Empire in ancient India, epitomize a golden age of artistic achievement, characterized by exquisite craftsmanship, spiritual depth, and cultural refinement.

Classical Era of Gupta sculptures

• Gupta sculptures are the logical outcome of the early classical sculpture of Amaravati and Mathura.
  • Gupta sculptures derived their plasticity from Mathura and elegance from Amaravati.
  • The art of Bharhut, Amravati, Sanchi and Mathura grew ever more integrated. 
• The traditional centre, Mathura, remained the main art production site, whereas Sarnath and Kosambi also emerged as important centres of art production in the 5th and 6th century AD.

Sarnath School of Gupta Sculptures

• The human figurine was the pivot of Gupta sculpture. 
• It used cream-coloured sandstone and metal in its sculptures.
• Buddha images in Sarnath have plain transparent drapery, whereas the Mathura Buddha images continue to depict folds of the drapery.
• The halo around the head of Buddha has very little ornamentation.

Sculptures

• A Red sandstone image of the Buddha from Mathura with his right hand in Abhaya mudra.
• In another image, Buddha was shown seated in Vijraparyanka in Dharmachakrapravartana Mudra (the gesture of Preaching).
• Metal Sculpture includes seven-and-a-half feet high Sultanganj Buddha (Bihar).

Temple Sculpture:

• During this period, the characteristic elements of the Indian temple emerged.
• The large panel of Sheshashayi Vishnu from the temples at Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh) and the great Boar (Varaha) at the entrance of temples of Udayagiri (Madhya Pradesh) and Ajanta are excellent specimens of figure sculptures.
• At a Shiva temple in Ahichhatra (Uttar Pradesh), there are life-sized terracotta images of Ganga and Yamuna standing on Crocodile and the Tortoise, respectively, who are the attendants of Lord Shiva.

Conclusion

• Gupta sculptures stand as masterpieces of classical Indian art, reflecting a harmonious blend of religious devotion, aesthetic beauty, and technical mastery, leaving an indelible mark on India’s cultural legacy.