[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) › c19.80 # Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.80 Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.80 - **Language:** English ### [c19.80](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.80) Subsequently we find in the Mahāvamsa frequent references to paintings on cloth and the painting of temples, evidently of the same character as the eighteenth century work known to us. The modern work seems to represent the continuous tradition handed on from the earliest times; for it has much in common with the Barāhat sculptures, and the style of painting which we may suppose to have existed in Aśoka’s times. There are many primitive features, such as the method of continuous narration, where the same figure \*Painting\* or figures are repeated again and again without separation into different scenes, but in fresh situations revealing the progress of the story. The figures are shown in three aspects only, full face, three-quarter face, and side face. It is most probable that the Kandyan painting of the eighteenth century represents a survival of an early style which has always continued more or less independent of the other schools of more developed art which existed at various times; just as building in wood has always been the truly indigenous style of architecture, apart from exceptional periods of important work in stone, mainly under Indian inspiration. - [Previous: c19.79](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.79) - [Next: c19.81](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.81) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mahāvaṃsa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada_postcanon.vamsa.mahavamsa) — Pāli - [Bharhut](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.bharhut) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.80](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.coomaraswamy-1908.c19.80) · Pramāṇa