Ch 1

• Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC-1750 BC) to Mauryan dynasty (Third century B.C.) show a gradual development in art and crafts
• Artists of the Harappan period were extremely skilled
• Highly polished quality of the sculpted pillars from the Ashokan period are a treasure of Indian art
• Sungas continued artistic activity with the great Stupa and sculptures of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh
• Kushans helped in progress, leading to the development of sculpted portraiture for the first time
• Gupta period is regarded as the golden period in Indian Art History
• Gupta sculptures show perfect balance and blending of style, skill, mastery, and imagination
• Famous paintings of Ajanta were done during the Gupta period
• New developments in art during this period include Cave and Temple architectures
• Dancing Girl sculpture:

  • Made of metal
  • Harappan Period (2500 BC)
  • Found at Mohenjo-Daro
  • Approximately 4 inches in height
  • Artist unknown
  • Depicts a lanky, thin, and rhythmic female figure
  • Wearing bangles on her left hand
  • Hair tied in a bun
  • Standing in a resting posture
• Rampurva Bull Capital:

  • Made of polished sandstone
  • Mauryan Period (3rd century BC)
  • Found at Rampurva
  • Approximately 7 ft in size
  • Artist unknown
  • Features a bell-shaped inverted lotus as the base
  • Abacus and a majestic bull on top
  • Plant designs around the abacus
  • Extremely polished quality
• Black Princess painting:

  • Wall painting (mural)
  • Gupta Vakataka Period (2nd century AD to 6th century AD)
  • Found at Ajanta
  • Approximately 20 ft x 6 ft in size
  • Artist unknown
  • Shows Lord Buddha in human form
  • Done in tempera technique
  • Earthly colours used
  • Depicts a Black Princess with a lyrical quality