[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Mediaeval Sinhalese Art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908) › c19.75 # Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.75 Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.75 - **Language:** English ### [c19.75](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.75) The artist king, Jeṭṭha Tissa (A.D. 330), has been referred to above, p. 7. The earliest paintings actually surviving in Ceylon are those at Sigiriya. These differ in character and in technique from all modern work, but very closely resemble the famous Ajaṇṭa paintings of the same century. This period was one of great artistic activity, which began in India in the fourth century under the Gupta dynasty, and absorbed Dravidian tradition into its own.† The character of the art of this period may be judged best from the Ajaṇṭa wall paintings, and the Ellora sculptures. The Sigiri paintings show that Ceylon was in close touch with the art growth of the time. The early Chinese historians speak in raptures of images made in Ceylon; and it is clear that the fourth and fifth centuries were one of the great periods of Sinhalese art. But they stand isolated from the historical development of the later art, which possesses far less capacity for drawing the human form. The Sigiri paintings are somewhat sensuous, and though apparently representing goddesses and attendants, are not markedly religious in feeling. They appear to have left no trace on later Sinhalese art. Were they not thus an isolated landmark, it would be easier to fit them into the historical evolution of Sinhalese art as we know it. - [Previous: c19.74](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.74) - [Next: c19.76](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.76) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19) ## Linked texts (2) - [Sigiriya](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sigiriya) - [Ajanta](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ajanta) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.75](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.75) · Pramāṇa