The Development of Hindu Iconography c8.9

c8.9

The importance of the study of this subject can also be rightly emphasised from the point of view of its association with artistic studies. Many images of the gods and goddesses are in themselves great works of art, and a proper and careful study of these will enable students of iconography to acquaint themselves with the general character of the artistic achievements of different races. The excellence or decadence of art in particular localities in different periods can be easily demonstrated with the help of images found in those places. The study of a Buddha image of Sarnath belonging to the fifth or sixth century A.D. or a Brahmanical or Buddhist bronze or stone image of Magadha or Bengal of the early Pāla period would not fail to impress on the student of iconography the flourishing nature of the iconoplastic art in those places, at different times. Similarly, a Buddhist or Brahmanical stone image from Bengal of the late Sena period will throw light on the artistic decadence which had already set in there. Thus, these images form the true index of the achievements in the domain of religious art and are, in this manner, very interesting aids to the study of the artistic activities of particular races.