shree limn arts

Title : Black Princess Medium : Wall Painting (mural) Date : Gupta Vakataka Period (2nd century AD to 6th century AD) Finding Site : Ajanta Size : 20 ft x 6 ft (Approx) Artist : Unknown GENERAL DESCRIPTION The caves of Ajanta are situated near Aurangabad district in Maharastra . The caves are named after the nearby village Ajintha . The caves, including the unfinished one, are thirty in number.  Some of the caves served as the Chaityas (worshipping places) and most of them were Viharas (Monasteries). Ajanta paintings were done in two phases – first, the Hinayana phase (where Lord Buddha is represented in symbols) and the second, the Mahayana phase (where he is shown in human form ). Most of the Ajanta paintings were done in the Vakataka Period. Ajanta paintings occupy a unique position in the history of Indian painting. Ajanta paintings are not done in Fresco.  Fresco is a technique, where colours are mixed with water soluble binders and painted on either dry or we...

Title : Rampurva Bull Capital Medium : Polished sandstone Date : Mauryan Period (3rd century BC) Finding Site : Rampurva Size : 7 ft (Approx) Artist : Unknown Collection : Indian Museum, Kolkata GENERAL DESCRIPTION Emperor Ashoka engraved his edicts and teachings of Lord Buddha on pillars, rock surfaces and tablets.  Ashokan pillars have been found in almost every region of India except extreme southern region. His pillars consisted of three parts – a base, an elongated shaft, and the decorated crown of the pillar, called the Capital . Capitals are mostly consisted of one or more animal figures, an inverted lotus, which serves as the base of these animal figures. A thick disc kind of structure known as abacus is between the animals and the lotus . Bull Capital is one of the most famous ones among the Ashokan capitals. It is also known as Rampurva Bull Capital, after the name of the place from where this is found.  This particular one is comprised of a bell shaped inv...

Title : Dancing Girl Medium : Metal Date : Harappan Period (2500 BC) Finding site : Mohenjo – Daro Size : 4 inches (Approx) Artist : Unknown Collection : National Museum, New Delhi GENERAL DESCRIPTION This statue is made of metal and is probably one of the finest examples of the artistic and technical skills of Indus Valley craftsmen .  This female figure at the same time shows the fine skills of metal casting and artistic refinery. The figure is lanky, thin and rhythmic in character.  Some very interesting points can be noticed in sculpture. First of all, while she has been shown without clothes, in her left hand she has bangles till almost her shoulder, very much like we can find in the tribal people of modern days in Gujarat and Rajasthan region .  Second important thing to notice is the hairstyle. While the other mother goddess figures, which have been found from this civilization, have a queer and elaborate hair style.  This figure shows a much contemp...

From IndusValley Civilization (2500 BC-1750BC) to Mauryan dynasty (Third century B.C.) we see a gradual development in art and crafts. Artists of the Harappan period were extremely skilled.  Mauryan period marked a new beginning in Indian history. Highly polished quality of the sculpted pillars from the Ashokan period are treasure of Indian art.  Alongwith this technically improved style, there was also the tradition of popular folk art, which continued in the form of crude mother goddess figures .  After the Mauryans, when the Sungas came to power, they continued with the artistic activity and we got the great Stupa and sculptures of Sanchi in the state of Madhya Pradesh.  The Kushans , who had come from outside India, helped in the progress. During this period, we see the development of the sculpted portraiture for the first time.  Gupta period is regarded as the golden period in Indian Art History. Refinement came in the representation of the human figur...