AHI 001D Arts of Asia Midterm: Indian and Southest Asian Art

Created by

Jashmine D

Cards (48)

Title: The Great Bath at Mohenjo Daro
Date: 3rd - 2nd century BCE
Analysis: Used in ceremonies and ritual purification.
Title: Figurine of a Mother Goddess
Date: ca. 2600 - 1900 BCE
Analysis: votive offering made for a goddess associated with fertility as can be seen with its accentuated female attributes.
Title: Column Erected by Ashoka
Date: 246 BCE
Analysis: these monuments linked the Buddha's dharma (moral law) with Ashoka's law of the mortal world. They also conveyed the symbolic presence of the emperor to each part of his realm.
Title: Stupa I, Sanchi
Date: Original stupa, ca. 250 BCE; enlarged and rennovated ca. 50 - 25 BCE.
Analysis: one of the most important pilgrimage sites at the time. Decorated with images of the Buddha and his veneration as well as the story of his previous lives (jataka).
Title: Great Departure of the Buddha
Date: ca. 50 - 25 BCE
Analysis: In the east gateway of the Stupa I in Sanchi. Tells the story of Prince Siddhartha leaving the palace and beginning his life of meditation and poverty.
Title: Bracket of a Woman and a Mango Tree
Date: ca. 50 - 25 BCE
Analysis: In the east gateway Stupa I in Sanchi. The women are wearing fan-shaped headdresses, heavy jewelry, and banded belts with an emphasis on their sexual attributes. They provide protection for the stupa and its visitors.
Title: The Wheel of Life
Date: ca. 462 - 500 CE
Analysis: Part of Cave 17 in Ajanta.
Title: Standing Buddha, Bamiyan
Date: 5th century CE
Analysis: Its large size was meant to convey the spiritual enormity of of the Buddha compared to the human worshipers. It reflects the beliefs of the Mahayana Buddhist sect that established the site.
Title: Seated Buddha with Two Attendants
Date: Kushan period, 82 CE
Analysis: Part of the Mathura style. One of his shoulders is left bare, showing off his masculine body. The relief carvings of the lions represent the Buddha's royal family crest.
Title: Standing Figure of Buddha
Date: 2nd - 3rd century CE.
Analysis: Has an inward-looking, meditative expression. Is influenced by classical Greek art as can be seen with the contrapposto pose.
Title: Bodhisattva Maitreya
Date: Kushan period, 3rd century CE.
Analysis: From the Gandhara region. The Bodhisattva Maitreya is adorned with ornate jewelry and rich clothing. He wears a beribboned turban and has a twirling mustache.
Title: Standing Buddha
Date: Gupta period, ca. 319 - 500
Analysis: In the Mathura style. Hair is a mass of snail-shell curls. The Buddha gazes downwards to show his transcendent mental state. Appears in a flawless state, with no trace of passion, egotism, or doubt.
Title: Jina with Attendants
Date: ca. 500 CE
Analysis: Jina has a posture of "body abandonment" that shows that they will do no harm to other living creatures. Has long earlobes, marks on their chest, and a beatific expression of enlightenment on their face.
Title: Linga with Face of Shiva
Date: Gupta period
Analysis: The god Shiva is represented in the form of an erect phallus (linga). Located in the inner sanctums of temples dedicated to Shiva.
Title: Shiva as the Lord of Dance
Date: Chola period
Analysis: Depicts Shiva carrying a drum and fire. The drum symbolizes creation. The fire symbolizes the destruction of samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and maya (illusion).
Title: Krishna Killing the Horse Demon Keshi
Date: Gupta period
Analysis: One of the ten avatars of Vishnu, human warrior-prince Krishna. Pushes the beast back with one of his feet while choking it.
Title: Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon Mahisha
Date: 8th century
Analysis:
Amitabha? 
Relating to the Buddha; means infinite/endless light.
Aniconic?
The absence of a direct graphic representation of a deity, as in early Buddhist art.
Ashoka? 
Emperor of the Maurya dynasty from 272 - 231 BCE. Adopted Buddhism after witnessing an incredibly bloody and violent invasion.
Title: Apsaras Relief, Angkor Wat
Date: 12th century
Title: Buddha Seated in Bhumisparsha Mudra
Date: 12th - 13th century
Title: Walking Buddha
Date: 14th century
Title: Qutb Minar, Qutb Mosque
Date: 1199
Title: Krishna Holds Up Mount Govardhan to Shelter the Villagers of Braj
Date: ca. 1590 - 1595
Title: Jahangir Embracing Shah Abbas
Date: Mughal dynasty
Title: Balwant Singh Relaxing at a Fireplace
Date: 1755 - 1760
Title: Great Stupa at Borobudur
Date: 8th - 9th century
Title: Dancing Ganesh
Date: 10th century
Jahangir?
Fourth Mughal emperor. Father of Shah Jahan who commissioned the Taj Mahal.
Urna?
Curl of hair on the forehead that is a characteristic mark of the Buddha. Symbol of divine wisdom.
Ushnisha?
Rounded shape at the top of the head that is a characteristic mark of the Buddha. Symbol of enlightenment.
Vihara?
Buddhist monastery.
Maitreya?
Bodhisattva who would became the Buddha of the Future.
Samsara?
The eternal cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth in Buddhism and Hinduism.
Shiva?
In Hinduism, he is the creator of life and destroyer of evil. The father of Ganesh and consort of Parvati.
Nirvana?
State achieved in Buddhism and Hinduism once one has reached enlightenment and extinguished all ignorance and desire.
Bodhisattva?
In Buddhism, a being who has reached enlightenment but chooses to remain in this world to help others reach enlightenment as well.
Buddha?
Was the Hindu prince Siddhartha Gautama who achieved enlightenment and founded Buddhism.
karma?
The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence and determines one's destiny in the next life in Hinduism and Buddhism.