[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911) › c17.35 # A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c17.35 A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c17.35 - **Language:** English ### [c17.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c17.35) The Indian sculptures usually show earth-spirits, or Yakshas, male or female, holding up the horse's hoofs. As Grünwedel and Strzygowski point out, the sculptures illustrate the Buddhist legend that the earth-goddess displayed half her form while she spoke to the departing hero, and also are a reminiscence or translation of the Greek motive of Gē (Gaia) rising from the ground, familiar to Hellenic art from the fourth century B. C. Similar earth-spirits are seen in the Barberini diptych.¹ The Rider motive does not appear at Mathurā or in the Early Period, and may be assumed to have reached India after the Christian era. - [Previous: c17.34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c17.34) - [Next: c17.36](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c17.36) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c17) ## Cites (1) - [Sāñcī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sanchi) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c17.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c17.35) · Pramāṇa