Mathura school of art is a Buddhist visual art form that flourished in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, as a commercial and pilgrimage centre. During the reign of Kushan emperor Kanishka in the first century AD, the Mathura School of Art flourished. During the Gupta period (6th or 7th century), this art achieved its pinnacle. This article will explain to you the concepts related to the Mathura school of art which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Mathura school of art

• The Mathura School of Art flourished mostly during the reign of Kushana ruler Kanishka in the first century AD. Mathura School grew up on its own.
• Mathura was the traditional centre of output for this school, with Sarnath and Kosambi also playing key roles. Spotted red sandstone was utilised in the construction of this school. During the Gupta period, in the 6th or 7th century, this art achieved its pinnacle.
• The representations of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Vishnu, Shiva, Yakshas, Yakshinis, Jinas, and others found in the Mathura school depict the city's life and assimilation character as a result of Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism's religious fervour.
• Mathura art was notable for its Jina image and indigenous style of Buddha's image.
• In the artwork, the Mathura School used a lot of symbolism. Avayudhas were used to depict the Hindu gods. Shiva, for example, is represented by linga and mukhalinga.
• Similarly, the halo around Buddha's head is bigger and adorned with geometrical patterns than in the Gandhara School. Padmapani holds a lotus and Vajrapani holds a thunderbolt, and Buddha is encircled by two Bodhisattvas.

Mathura school of art

Salient features of Mathura Art

• Buddha image - Buddha was never represented in a human form at any of Sanchi, Bharhut, or Gaya prior to the founding of this school.
• Themes - Only symbols, such as two footprints or a wheel, were used to represent Buddha. Mathura artists continued to depict symbols at first, but the human figure of Buddha gradually emerged as a separate school of art.
• This depiction of the human Buddha was based on Yaksha representations.
• Early depictions of the Buddha and Bodhisattva are plump, joyful beings with no spirituality. They have a blocky appearance and a smooth, close-fitting robe that is virtually entirely free of wrinkles.
• Patrons - The Mathura statues are related to earlier yaksa (male nature deity) figures, with a strong resemblance to the early Kushn period's massive standing Buddha representations.
• Features of sculpture - The overall impact of them, as well as the more traditional seated Buddhas, is one of great force. The shoulders are broad, the chest expands, and the legs are planted firmly with feet split apart.
• Images were more sensuous and flashier in the second century AD, with increasing rotundness. By the third century AD, the extreme fleshiness had subsided, and the surface features had become more polished.
• The shaved head, the protuberance on the top of the head indicated by a tiered spiral, a round smiling face, the right arm raised in abhaya-mudra (reassurance gesture), the left arm akimbo or resting on the thigh, the drapery closely moulding the body and arranged in folds over the left arm, leaving the right shoulder bare, and the presence of the lion throne rather than the lotus throne are
• The halo around Buddha's head was lavishly adorned.
• The Mathura school etched out both the sitting and standing postures of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. The Sravasti Sarnath and Kaushambi Standing Buddhas are the best examples of Buddha images under this style.
• The later evolution of Buddha's Human form was linked to human beauty and heroic values.
• Type of sandstone - Spotted red sandstone was utilized in the construction of this school.
• Vaishnava and Shiva images - At Mathura, pictures of the Vaishnava and Shaiva faiths can also be seen, but Buddhist ones predominate.
• Women's position in Mathura's art - The woman was at the center of the painting, and there are few works of Indian art that can match the gorgeous feminine figures created by the Mathura artists in terms of beauty, delicacy, and appeal.

Conclusion

In many aspects, the Mathura school of art was a formative art that influenced later styles of art. Mathura is a significant turning point in Indian art history. It is here that the move from symbolism to iconographic forms, which were later embraced, can be clearly seen. In addition, Mathura was the first place where the forms of Brahmanical deities crystallised. The influence of the Mathura school's Buddha image expanded throughout India and Central Asia.

FAQs 

MCQs

1. Which material is most commonly associated with the Mathura School of Art?

A. Marble
B. Red sandstone
C. Granite
D. Bronze

2. Which of the following religious figures is prominently featured in Mathura School art?

A. Confucius
B. Buddha
C. Jesus Christ
D. Zarathustra

3. What is a notable characteristic of Mathura School sculptures?

A. Depiction of gods with multiple arms
B. Use of bronze and iron for casting
C. Realistic portrayal of human forms and symbolic gestures
D. Sculptures with minimal detailing and abstract designs

4. The Mathura School of Art flourished most during which period?

A. Gupta Period
B. Mauryan Period
C. Kushan Period
D. Harsha Period

5. Which of the following was not a feature of Mathura School art?

A. Fusion of Greco-Roman elements
B. Use of red sandstone
C. Depiction of Jain Tirthankaras
D. Focus on abstract designs

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the influence of foreign art styles on the development of the Mathura School of Art.

Answer: The Mathura School of Art was heavily influenced by Hellenistic and Greco-Roman styles, which were introduced to India through trade and cultural exchanges with the Western world during the Kushan period. This influence is evident in the use of realistic human forms, drapery, and facial expressions. However, the Mathura School maintained a distinctly Indian aesthetic, incorporating Indian religious themes and indigenous iconography, creating a fusion of foreign and local artistic traditions.

Q2: Evaluate the contribution of the Mathura School to Buddhist art and iconography.

Answer: The Mathura School was instrumental in developing Buddhist art, particularly through the creation of the first anthropomorphic images of Buddha. These sculptures depicted Buddha in a realistic and divine form, with specific symbolic gestures like the Abhaya Mudra and Dharmachakra Mudra, which became central to Buddhist iconography. The Mathura School thus played a key role in shaping the visual representation of Buddha and contributed to the spread of Buddhism through art.

Q3: Analyze the role of Mathura School of Art in the promotion of Hindu and Jain religious art during the Kushan period.

Answer: Although the Mathura School is primarily known for its Buddhist art, it also made significant contributions to Hindu and Jain religious art. Sculptures of Hindu deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Yakshas were produced, reflecting the religious diversity of the period. Additionally, the Mathura School created numerous images of Jain Tirthankaras, contributing to the growth of Jainism in the region. This inclusivity in religious art demonstrates the adaptability and broad cultural influence of the Mathura School.

Previous Year Questions on Mathura School of Art

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which material is predominantly associated with the Mathura School of Art?
A. Red sandstone
B. Bronze
C. Marble
D. Iron

Answer: A

Explanation: The Mathura School is renowned for its sculptures made from red sandstone, which were commonly used during the Kushan period.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Discuss the importance of the Mathura School of Art in the development of Buddhist and Jain art during ancient India.

Explanation: The Mathura School of Art played a pivotal role in developing Buddhist and Jain art in ancient India. It created some of the earliest human representations of Buddha, which became central to Buddhist worship and iconography. In addition, the school contributed significantly to Jain art, producing numerous images of Jain Tirthankaras. The use of red sandstone, along with the fusion of Greco-Roman elements and indigenous Indian features, made the Mathura School an essential part of India's artistic and religious history.