Indian Sculpture c8.178

c8.178

The difference in treatment of figures 68 and 69 is considerable. Broadly spreading mass, without energy and with a faltering outline, in the relief from Ajaṇṭā, an economy of modelling accompanied by a clear-cut outline, subtle in disciplined sinuosity, in Nāsik. With this corresponds the rendering of the hands and the facial features; melting almost to the point of being inarticulate in Ajaṇṭā, they are linearised, intense and definite in Nāsik. The hands of Avalokiteśvara hold fly-whisk and lotus as if these were weightless, those of the Buddha from Ajaṇṭā are benumbed.