Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c14.61

c14.61

(4) There are conscious efforts to borrow motifs and subjects from the art of Mathura aud central India, but in an inferior style; e. g., Śālabhañjikā, atlantes and pillars of Indian type are depicted in a debased form. (5) But Hellenistic motifs and subjects, on the other hand, are extremely well done having exceptional art value. (6) Selected Buddhist subjects have been rendered with high artistic effect, e. g. Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas, with beautiful ornamentation, Kubera and Hārītī. It should, however, be admitted that the Buddha figure is stiff, insipid and lacking vital inspiration in comparison to the great Mathura figures. We do not find in Gandhara any thing of the vigour and introvert expression of the Buddha and Bodhisattva figures of the Mathura school.