Art & Culture of Mathura
The
Mathura Schools of Art reached its pinnacle during the Kushan Period. The Most
important work of this period is the anthromorphic image of the Buddha who was
hitherto represented by certain symbols.
The artists of Mathura and Gandha were pioneers who carved out images of the
Buddha. Images of Jain Tirthankars and Hindu deities were also made in Mathura.
Generally, all these intial images were huge in size.
Their excellent specimens are still preserved in the museums at Lucknow, Varanasi,
Allahabad and Mathura. Colossal images, in seated or standing postures, of Kushan
emperors Vim Kadphises and Kanishk and Saka ruler Chashtan have also been found
at Math in Mathura district.
Stone
carvings of intoxicated groups of people that have been found, speak about foreign
(Hellenistic) influence on this school of art. Considerable construction activities
have come to notice in Sarnath also in Kushan Period, ruins of several monasteries,
temples and Stupas of that period lie catered there even today.
They are stated to have been installed in dev-kul (probably a place for worship
of ancestors).There is not doubt that Mathura was the center of manufacturing
of stone images (sculpture) during the Kushan Period. These images had a great
demand in other parts of the country.
Scenes depicted on Stone pillars found in Bhuteshwar and other places in Mathura
district present glimpses of contemporary life including dresses, ornaments,
means of entertainment, arms, household furniture, etc.
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