The Kushan art was produced during the Kushan dynasty. The period in time of the production of this particular form of art was between the 1 st and 3 rd century CE. The era where the art was practiced includes the present day northern India, Pakistan, Central Asia, and Afghanistan. What made this art period unique was that it incorporated a mixed culture that was depicted by a variety of deities including Iranian, Greco-Roman, and Indian, all which were invoked on their coins. The artifacts in the period could majorly be divided into two including the imperial art and the Buddhist art. The imperial art had its source from the Iranian derivation while on the other hand; the Buddhist art was of the Indian and Greco-Roman sources.
Era of Emergence
The era of the emergence of this particular type of art was between the 1 st and the 3 rd century. The emergence was partly due to the emperors who influenced the art and the artists during the development of the Kushan Empire. The advancement of the art was also influenced by foreign countries such as Greek, Rome, and Chinese among others which led to the employment of various architectural designs in sculptures and buildings.
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The Characteristics of the Kushan Art
There were two different schools of the Kushan Art. The Kushans were regarded as great patrons of art. The hallmark of the Kushan period was the sculpture making principles. The principles applied in the Kushan Art have played an important role in influencing the Indian Art. Before the onset of the Kushan period, the symbols of Buddha were depicted lotus and footsteps by the artists. During the Kushan period of art, the first images of Buddha as a person were depicted. Most of the artists of this particular period were of the Jain, and Hindu origin was responsible for representing their legends and deities in the human form. The artists of this particular era created two different schools of art including the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art.
The artists and sculptors of the Gandhara School of art were greatly influenced by both the western and the Greek art. Some of the common pieces of art that were created during this particular time include sculptors, coins, architecture, and paintings. The foreigners greatly influenced the particular art, but the subject depicted in the art was usually Indian. The deities represented in the pieces of art were Indians, but the style, shape, and dressing were created in Greek style. The Gandhara images especially those belonging to the Buddha adopted the Greco-Roman style. It was even noticed that the images of the Buddha were in resemblance with those of Greek Apollo. The textiles during this art period owe much to the western connection. The Kushan art was immensely influenced by countries such as Iran and Rome. The Chinese people also had a significant impact on their art. The idea of sculpture on textiles was borrowed from the northern-western innovation. The cities in the Kushan art period were constructed in a pattern known as the Hippodamian with great influences from other regions such as Persian and Greek. The sculptors in the Gandhara School of art employed the use stucco and grayish schist stone. The Gandhara art school had several centers in various areas including Kapisa, Nangarhar, Bamiyan, Kashmir, and Fondukistan.
The hallmark of the Mathura school of art was the folk culture, indigenous images, and folk deities. Other forms of arts included folk legends and goddesses. This particular form of art is known to have played an important role in the representation of the female deity. Other than their beauty, the art represented the women as voluptuous and sensuous. The sculptures depicted the ideal Indian beauty that was characterized women with ample breasts, oval face, broad hips, and slender waists. The artists and sculptors during this art period played a critical role in representing their deities, goddesses, and legends. The sculptures employed the use of the mottled red sand for the purpose of sculpturing. The Mathura art was also immensely influenced by the Greek culture. It is also important to note that the two schools of the Kushan art period influenced each other. The Mathura and Gandhara schools of art were crucial in influencing each other over time.
Examples of Art during the Kushan Period
Before mentioning the individual art of the Kushan Art, it is important to appreciate the general characteristics of the art. Some of the features included the fact that it had distinctive style; it was greatly influenced by the west and was classified into two classes. The art that belonged to the Gandhara School include paintings, architecture, sculptors, and coins. On the other hand, the Mathura art included indigenous images, folk legends, and folk culture among others. They also practiced sculpturing especially those depicting the Indian women. Critical to note is that sculpturing was dominantly practiced in the two classes of Kushan art period.
Artistes in the Kushan Art Period
The Kushan art period was endowed with a myriad of artists who were instrumental in developing the various types of art that include painting, sculptures, and architecture among others. It is critical to note that however, that the art culture was subject to influence from other countries that include Rome, China, and Greece among many others. The artists played a role in giving the sculptures and images a foreign touch was instrumental in developing the art. Some of the most notable artists during this period include Virknsi Patni and Ruza Mikri both of whom played an important role in developing the two schools of arts namely Mathura and Gandhara.
Why the Art Period Was Interesting
Among the traditional ancient arts, the Kushan art is interesting because it gives insights into the art history on two facets in the form of schools. The two schools include Mathura and Gandhara. Another factor that makes the art interesting is the fact that it as a function of a multinational contribution due to the influences and inputs from other nations that include Greece, Rome, China among others. Also, the art is special because it incorporated both the Indian (domestic) and foreign artists whose input was crucial in the advancement and improvement of this particular type of art. It is also vital to appreciate the fact that history culture involved various forms of art including architecture, sculpture making, painting, and literature among others. The art culture evolved over time as it assimilated various techniques from elsewhere in the world. The art culture was politically influenced as it developed at a time when the Kushan Empire was under development.
In conclusion, the traditional arts are important in defining the socio-political life of a given community of people. Human beings have since time immemorial utilized art in sending information concerning the social and political situation of a given place. The Kushan traditional art was mainly composed of sculptures, architecture, and painting among others all which were important in giving a broader picture of the overall Asian art culture. More advancements have been made in today with regards to culture, and the hope is that human beings will integrate the traditional and modern art in reconstructing history.
