Studies in Indian Art c7.s1.14

c7.s1.14

The problem of symbols should be approached with sympathy and understanding. Each symbol should be studied in its proper perspective in relation to the earlier motifs of thought and those which followed it. Chronological solutions based on art-objects being assigned to their proper sequence in time are good in so far as they go, but that is not all. We should co-relate art-forms to the ideas of which art was an expression in each period. The language of art-symbols throws light on the history of thought—a very important purpose of art studies, provided the work is undertaken in a strictly scientific manner keeping as close to objective facts as we do for chronological problems. It will then be found that religion and philosophy provide a commentary not only to the increased understanding of art-history, but of its genesis and purpose.