A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c17.16

c17.16

The first to be considered is that which may be conveniently designated the 'Woman and Tree' (Plate LXXXVI). The form which may be regarded as normal represents a woman standing under a vine or other tree, with her legs crossed, the left arm twined round a stem, and the right hand raised to her head. Many variations, however, occur. Occasionally, the left hand is raised above the head, as in an example from Mathurā, in which also the right arm is not twined round a stem. Sometimes the legs are not crossed. The woman, in some cases, is more or less clothed, but frequently, and especially at Mathurā, is unmistakably and aggressively naked. Very often, but not always, she stands on a dwarf, animal, or monster (Fig 85).