Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c10.37

c10.37

In this, what we may call uncanonical Indian sculpture, we can find types of physiognomy and character given with the highest art, and with as much variety and power of expression as Greek sculpture can show, though it is not, strictly speaking, portraiture. Here Indian art comes almost in the same plane of thought as Western, and we fairly draw a comparison between them. That Indian sculptors did not attempt to portray violent emotions and facial expression in the same way as Europeans must again be attributed to a difference of temperament and difference of thought, not to want of capacity. Their religion taught them that the way to spiritual advancement was by controlling human passions, and this teaching strongly influenced their art. But the common idea that Indian sculpture is lacking in power of expression is just as wrong as other uninformed opinions on Indian art. The best Indian sculpture touched a deeper note of feeling and finer sentiments than the best Greek.