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ART IN SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA BEFORE 1200Eddie Hochman, Kenn Su, and Bayla Weick
Buddhism
Buddha: original founder of Buddhism focuses on meditation, enlightenment,
and the pursuit of knowledge Buddha preached about the Wheel of the
Law and the Four Noble Truths
Hinduism polytheistic religion Sacrifice is meant to please deities and gain favor
with them Hindu deities vary in form and natures Three most important deities are Shiva, Vishnu, and
the Goddess, Devi Shiva- God of Creation and Destruction, both angry and
peaceful, Most common attribute is the Trident Vishnu- “The Preserver”, creator and destroyer of all
existences, one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates and develops all elements within.
Devi- The primary form of all Goddesses, balances out the male aspect o the Divine.
Overview of Time Period
Indus Valley Civilization The Vedic Period The Maurya Period The Period of Shungas and Early Andhras The Kushan and Later Andhra Periods The Gupta Period The Post-Gupta Period The Tenth through the Fourteenth
Centuries
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Indus Valley Civilization
2600 – 1900 BCE
Indus Valley Civilization
As a whole, very little is known Existed around the same time as Old Kingdom
in Egypt Similarities between cities suggest coherent
culture Built elevated citadels with 50 feet high walls,
water tank, pool/public bath, drainage system, and streets
Many terra cotta figurines, a few stone and bronze statuettes, and many seal impressions have been found
Torso of a “Priest-King” from Mohenjo-Darjo c. 2000-1900 BCE
Nude Torso from Harappa c. 2000 BCE
Comparison
Two main styles emerged: one similar to Mesopotamian art and one that is characteristic of Indian artistic tradition
Similar to Mesopotamian art in motifs and abstract renderings
Tradition is to show sensuous naturalism Ex. Nude male torso has then contrasting
naturalistic style: emphasizes soft textures subtle nuances of muscular form unlike the Greek athletic male ideal
2000 BCE – 500 BCE
Vedic Period
Vedic Period
Mahavira teaches 599-527 BCE
Buddha teaches 563-483 BCE
400 BCE Mahabharata and Ramayana take shape (epics)
Hereditary class structure and exclusive priesthood is unique
Vedic tradition evolves into Hinduism
2000 BCE Aryans (nomadic shepherds) enter India Introduced horse,
chariot, Sanskrit language, hierarchical social order, and religious practices sacrificial with fire
3 Religions develop: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
800 BCE Upanishads texts composed
C. 322 – 185 BCE
Maurya Period
The Maurya Period
3rd Century BCE Alexander of Macedonia invades India
700 BCE cities start to appear India becomes an empire—
Maurya Empire General period of conquest Under Emperor Ashoka (ruled
c. 273-323 BCE) Buddhism becomes official state religion Ashoka was a great patron He denounces war and
violence
Major Themes/Styles
Depict popular deities such as yakshis (female) and yakshas (male) Uphold ideal of dharma = moral law
Many sculptures had lustrous polished quality Linear patterning on clothing indicates someone
of respect Monolithic pillars usually placed in sites related
to events in Buddha’s life Elaborate capitals usually with animal figures Axis mundi = axis of the world or joining link
between human and celestial realms
Yakshi Holding a Fly-Whisk
C. 250 BCE, polished sandstone, height 1.63 m—lifesize
Yakshi = spirit associated w/productive forces of nature
Large breast and pelvis show that female beauty is associated with procreative abundance
Frontal rigor of pose suggest strong sense of authority
Jewelry is prominent Common hairstyle
with bun at front and back
Soft, youthful face and stomach muscles
Flesh shows polished sheen
Despite some abstraction, Mauryan art had many realistic elements similar to Western art
Lion Capital from Sarnath C. 250 BCE, polished
sandstone, height 2.13 m
At the site of Buddha’s first sermon
Lowest section = downturned petals of lotus blossom Symbolize presence of
divine purity in imperfect world
Originally had a bronze wheel supported by lions
Very realistic elements: Veins/tendons, claws, mane, jaws
Low-relief carvings of wheels/chakras on the abacus Alternating lion, horse, bull, and
elephant = possibly four great rivers of the world Queen Maya saw a white elephant
enter her womb when she conceived Buddha
Bull is Buddha’s desire during his life as a Prince Siddhartha
Horse might be Buddha’s departure from palatial life
Lion represents attainment of Nirvana
Back to back lions facing the four cardinal directions may indicate universal nature of Buddhism or Buddha himself Sometimes interpreted as
representative of Ashoka’s rule Roar = Buddhism speak far and
wide
185 BCE – 50 CE
Periods of the Shungas and Early Andhras
The Period of the Shungas and Early Andhras
Local rule by regional dynasties returns Buddhism becomes very influential
especially with Stupas—religious monuments enclosing relic chambers
2nd Century caves become common use for holy art
Rock-cut halls
The Great Stupa at Sanchi
Founded 3rd century BCE, enlarged c.150-50 BCE, c. 50 CE stone gateways added
Functions as carefully calculated mandala = diagram of the cosmos
Has four toranas pointing at four cardinal directions (35 feet tall) Depict jakata tales= stories of Buddha’s life
Dome built up from rubble and dirt, faced with dressed stone echoes arc of sky
Railing at ground level provides for ritual circumambulation
The Chaitya Hall at Karla
Rock-cut, 1st century BCE – 1st century CE
Carved from top to bottom
Chaitya means sanctuary (usually enshrines a stupa in the apse) versus the vihara
Darkness leads to heightened awareness of the sacred space
Columns at entrance used to support a balcony
Arched windows are similar to a multistoried palace
Elephant statues create the illusion of supporting structure of their backs
Has a Chaitya window = horse-shoe shaped opening providing main source of light
Mithuna couples = figures evoking sense of harmony and fertility in life
Celing shows the barrelt vault
Comparison
The closely spaced columns that separate the side aisles from the main aisle are unlike any known in the West.
They are important examples in the long and complex evolution of the many Indian styles.
C. 30 BCE – 433 CE
Kushan and Later Andhra Periods
The Kushan and Later Andhra Periods
3 schools developed: Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati which had slighter figures than the other two
Gandhara School: Strong ties to Western style Mathura School: Unique style evolving from Yakshas
The surviving school that continued to develop into the Gupta Period
Amaravati School: Generally depicted events from Buddha’s life Commonly showed mithuna couples
Buddha has specific characteristics: monk’s robe, golden-colored body, long arms to his knees,
wheels on his palms and feet, white hair between his eyebrows Elongated earlobes due to heavy earrings, ushnisha on his
head (bun) to symbolize enlightenment
Influential Artist
Kushan King Kanishka I (127–147) was a great patron of Buddhism
He commissioned a stupa in Peshawar Considered tallest building at time of
construction Common pilgrimage stop
Standing Buddha
C. 2nd-3rd century CE, Schist, 2.28 high (over life size)
Gandharan art combing Hellenistic, Persian, and native styles
Buddha is superhuman; as revealed by folds of garment he is broad massive, with heavy shoulders and limbs, and a well-defined torso
Kneed bend gently suggesting slightly relaxed pose
Robe treatment is very characteristic and very complex
Buddha and Attendants
Yogic posture on pedestal supported by lions w/ halo and pipal tree (where he achieved enlightenment)
Robe is pulled tightly to make him seem nude
Tendency to abstraction seen in face: geometric shapes like rounded forms of widely opened eyes
Naturalistic in torso
C. early 2nd century CE, red sandstone, height 69.2 cm
Style evolves from yakshas
High relief stele showing Buddha as powerful
Right hand raised = “have no fear” mudra or hand gesture for communicating certain ideas Urna, ushnisha, chakras on
palms and soles are marks of Buddha
Comparison
Robe treatment is very similar to Roman statues Meant to show the shape of the body
Ghandara lies near East-West trade routes for Romans
Buddha does not show any of the athletic, Greek male ideal
Gupta Period
The Gupta Period• 320-486 CE (Only 166
Years)• Influence of Gupta culture
remained for centuries• Renowned for flourishing
artistic and literary culture• Produced India’s most
widely admired sculpture and painting
• Buddhism reaches its greatest influence in India
• Gupta monarchs still supported Hinduism
Bodhisattva
Chandragupta II
The Gupta Period
Founded a dynasty at Magadha Expanded into northern and southern
India Chandragupta I: 320-335 CE Samudragupta: Golden Age Chandragupta II Skandagupta repulsed a Huna attack in
455 CE Use of resources in waging war led to
Gupta decline
Styles, Subjects, and Themes• Relaxed, graceful pose• Only a few garment lines• Large, circular halo• Downcast eyes indicate
otherworldly introspection• Broad shoulders• Perfection and equilibrium• Spiritual purity fused with
physical purity• Blend of the fully
enlightened with the fully human
• Not a superhuman presenceBuddha Preaching the
First Sermon
Standing Buddha vs. Western Tradition Balanced blend of the human
and the divine, halo, etc… Resembles Kouroi (Apollo) Differs in body covering; not
free-standing Egyptian style; stoicism of
Pharoahs Archaic features Not concerned with the human
body in action; no contrapposto Contrasts with Hellenistic
representations of the everyday
Styles, Subjects, and Themes• Bodhisattvas: enlightened
beings who postpone nirvana and buddhahood to help others achieve enlightenment
• Princely garments; wear lavish ornaments
• Crown, earrings, etc…• Outline drawing: a major
ingredient in Indian painting; 3-D illusion
• Lighter tones -> protrusion• Sophisticated, realistic detail• Achieve balance between
the human and the divineGreat Bodhisattva - Ajanta
Bodhisattva vs. Western Tradition Found at shrine entrance Byzantine Empress
Theodora: lavish jewelry Egyptian royal
headdress, bright colors, bold outline
Egyptian painting was more representational
Gupta (and other Eastern) influences made their way into Western art a few centuries later
Post-Gupta Period
The Post-Gupta Period
• Influence of Gupta dynasty remained in religion and the arts
• After the 5th century, Hinduism began to dominate Indian religion
• 528 CE: Hun dynasty falls• Hindu temples and sculpture of the Hindu
gods become increasingly common• Prevalence of monumental narrative
reliefs
Shiva Nataraja of the Chola Dynasty
Styles, Subjects, and Themes
• Northern: distinguished by shikhara, which rises as a solid mass above the flat stone ceiling and windowless walls of the sanctum
Temple of Vishnu at Deogarh • Southern: pyramidal
tower called a vimana, featuring miniature shrines and a dome-shaped octagonal capstone
Dharmaraja Ratha at Mamallapuram
Vishnu Narayana vs. Western Tradition Several connections to
Parthenon frieze: Reminiscent of the
frieze’s narrative nature 3-D: overlapping
demonstrates understanding of space
Stylized: 4 arms -> resembles centaurs from Parthenon frieze
Hieratic scale for religious figures: Stele of Naram-Sin from Akkadian artVishnu Narayana on the
Cosmic Waters
Styles, Subjects, and Themes• Dance of Shiva
signifies cycle of death and rebirth
• Signifies liberation of the believer through Shiva’s compassion
• Dances upon Apasmaru; symbolizes “becoming”
• Holds ball of fire: symbolizes destruction and our egocentric perceptionsShiva Nataraja of the
Chola Dynasty
Shiva Nataraja vs. Western Tradition Reminiscent of Roman
arch Hieratic scale; resembles
Naram-Sin stomping his enemies
Symmetry that was evident in Egyptian sculpture
Also, head covering resembles royal Egyptian sculpture
Placement of legs reminiscent of contrapposto from classical Greece
Dvaravati)Khmer Rule at AngkorChola Dynasty
The Tenth Through Fourteenth CenturiesKingdom (C. 500-900CE
Overview of Time Period
Dvaravati Kingdom (C. 500-900CE)
Khmer Rule at Angkor (C. 9th-13th centuries)
Chola Dynasty (C. mid-9th- late 13th century)
Key Events 800-1200 CE: Chola emerge to dominate the south 800-1200 CE: Khmer Dynasty in Cambodia Circa 1000 CE: Brihadeshvara Temple is built in Thanjavur
Paves way for greater temples, Circa 1017 CE: Chola conquer Sri Lanka Circa 1070 CE: Vijayabahu I of Rohanna (r. 1070–1110)
expels the Cholas from Sri Lanka. Buddhism flourishes Late 12th century: Buddhism in decline 1100-1200 CE: Ramanuja, the poet and philosopher and
patriarch of the Shrivaishnava tradition describes theology of Bhakti (devotion)
1153-1186 CE: Parakrama Samudra (artificial lake), is built in Sri Lanka during the reign of Parakramabahu I One of the greatest irrigation feats of the ancient world
Major Themes/Styles
Hindu Temple reaches unparalleled heights of grandeur
Religious movements Tantric (esoteric) Movement Bhakti (devotional) Movement
Thailand Prakhon Chai Style Dvaravati Style
Artists
Artists usually viewed merely as craftsmen and artisans, not worthy of mention
Patron’s name is more likely to be inscribed The individual’s role was not supremely important Ideal human forms created from metaphors derived from nature
Chin like mango stone, arms like elephant trunk, eyes like the curve of a fish
Hinduism and Buddhism co-existed Same artists often employed Muslim invaders
Artists received detailed instruction Less room for changes in artistic style
Artists rarely signed artworks Low social hierarchy Patron often has name inscribed
http://image.linkinn.com/userfile/pictures_1004/Image/Borobudur_the_Buddhist_Temple_in_Central_Java__32.jpg
Borobudur C. 800 CE, Central Java, Indonesia
Buddhist site, (‘most monumental’) Rises more than 100 ft from ground level Stepped pyramid
Surmounted by a large stupa Ringed by 72 smaller stupas
Mahayana symbolism (earthly and cosmic realms)
500+ sculptures of transcendental Buddhas On balustrades and upper terraces 3-dimensional mandala
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_yaV_Nk30ezk/RfZ5_bABqPI/AAAAAAAABNQ/wRpg43C9Qys/IMG_1795_edited-1.jpg
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
C. 1000 CE, Madhya Pradesh, India. Chandella dynasty. Temple build by ruler
(unknown). Temple dedicated to Shiva Northern Style Post-and-Lintel Construction
Stone blocks Rests on stone terrace Steep flight of stairs to mandapas (three
halls) Ritual, symbolize Shiva’s threefold emanation
Rajarajeshvara Temple
Thanjavur, India, C. 1000 CE Known alternately as the Brihadeshvara Dedicated to Shiva Exterior walls display numerous reliefs in
niches Built by the Cholas Dynasty under the
rule of Rajaraja I (R. 985-1015 CE) Enormous, 216ft. tall
http://www.voyana.com/VietnamAndCambodia/images/generic/Large/Angkor_Wat.jpg
Angkor Vat
12th Century, Angkor, Cambodia Crowning achievement of Khmer architecture
The site of royal (Khmer) capitals King Suryavarman II (r. 1113- 1150 CE) began
the construction Purpose was to associate the king with his
personal god (Vishnu) The complex incorporates a stepped pyramid
with 5 towers set within 4 enclosures on increasing perimeter
Five towers symbolize five peaks of Mount Meru
Stone reliefs glorify Vishnu
Comparison
Western TraditionS. & SE Asian Art (900-1200CE)
Monotheistic Jesus, Muhammad, Saints
Architecture Religious purposes Cross shaped plans
symbolic Vault and arch techniques
Larger interior space Reliefs narrate stories
Symbolic
Iconography Ambivalent, closer to “personal
truths” Realism
Growing focus on the real world, along with the Divine
Polytheistic Dynasties depicted favored
God/Goddess Architecture
Religious in purpose Temples erected to favored god Post-and-Lintel Construction
Smaller interior space Reliefs narrate stories
Symbolic Clear structure, unified composition
Iconography Ascetic interpretation of Buddha
(instead of princely) Multiple arms (super-natural)
Naturalism Ideal, youthful figures
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THE END
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