Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c10.50

c10.50

If we adopt the alternative hypothesis, that Indian artists possessed quite as much artistic sense as others, the explanation is not very far to seek. In endeavouring to differentiate divine beauty from that of mortals they looked for those characteristics which are uncommon in human beings. To this day anything rare or abnormal is popularly regarded in India as a special manifestation of the divine nature. Among Indians of the highest castes, descended from the pure Aryan stock, short curly hair is unusual, and held as a sign of special distinction or good fortune. Naturally enough, it was adopted by Indian artists as one of the marks of divine beauty.