Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.83

c7.83

The figure appears to be nude, but it is really, like the previous one, clad in a close-fitting, thin, diaphanous robe, which covers most of the figure except the right shoulder and arm. This peculiar drapery, which is very characteristic of the true Indian ideal of Buddha, as distinguished from the mixed type of China and Japan, is seen more clearly in the beautiful stone alto-relievo, Plate IV., of the earthly Buddha, Gautama, preaching to his first six converts after his enlightenment. This is probably somewhat later in date. It was recently discovered at Sarnath, near Benares, by Mr. F. O. Oertel, close to the spot where Buddha began to preach.