PAINTINGS
AJANTA
CAVE PAINTINGS
the many-splendoured delights of Ajanta compiled by Subramanian Swaminathan
e-mail: sswami99@gmail.com
September 2007
Sculpture
During
the first phase, the Buddha was not shown in the human form, but only through
symbols, such as, the Wheel, the Bodhi Tree and the Feet of the Buddha.
But during the Mahayana period sculptures and paintings of the Buddha and
the Bodhi-sattva-s, were added.
The sculpture of Ajanta belongs to
the great art-tradition of contemporary India. Sculpture from the
4th century AD, is remarkable for its grace, elegance, restraint and serenity.
However, the general character of
the sculpture of Ajanta tends towards a certain heaviness of form,
and is considered inferior to the Gupta images.
Every one of the sculptures was plastered
and painted. But most of the plaster is now lost.
Naga King and his Consort, Cave 19
Maha-pari-nirvana, Cave 26
Hariti shrine, Cave 2
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