South+Southeast Asia: Imagery [CHRONOLOGICAL] Flashcards
When does the Pashupati (“Porto-Shiva”) seal originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Indus Valley Civilization) (2600-1900 BCE)
- Meditative pose; undertake for spirituality purposes. Symmetric; presents control. Shiva iconography; horned buffalo headless and phalos buckle.
- Surrounded by powerful animals–> figure demonstrates control over animals. –> Pashupati=lord of beast –> seal is an example of connectivity: shared materials and visual language.
-Seals functioned as identifying markers–> indicate importance of trade–> seal often presented animals/writing.
When does the Female Figures from Mohenjo-Daro originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Indus Valley Civilization) (c. 2600-1900 BCE)
- Bronze cast- complex/ labor intensive –> shows new metalwork technique
- Nudity; may indicate youthfulness (?) as females are not usually nude. –> body adornments, jewelry + pose= warrior or foreigner
When does the Great Stupa originate ? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Mayura and Satavahana dynasty) (c. 250 BCE)
- Torana=gateway or entrance added at a later date–> most narrative reliefs depict scenes of the Buddhas life/previous lives. –> great departure= parasol= Buddha departing, footprints=Buddha, wheels=Buddha fist sermon. Presents a continuous narrative
- Objects such as the Yasti (on top on the Stupa), and objects onto of a free standing pillar (in the relief)= Axi-Mundi= link between celestial and terrestrial human realm. Lion=kingship.
When does the Chaitya Hall originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Satavahana dynasty) (1st century)
- Carved out of plateaus of this region for sacred shrines–> basilica (roman inspired): long rectangular halls with a central space and narrower spaces–> shrine/ stupa at the end
- Allowed for circulation of the Stupa.
- Amorous couples decorated the pillars–> similar to hindu’s erotic groupings=noble couples? protect a sacred place against evil–> divine love=sexual love
When does the Meditating Buddha originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Gandhara Style) (Kushan) (c. 3rd-4th Century CE)
- Gandhara style: Naturalism, seen in like Greco-Roman art–> contact with the greek world.
- Buddha presents lakshanas: Ushnido (wisdom); the bump/top knot on the head, the Urna (third eye/wisdom); small dot, elongated earlobes (from wearing heavy jewelry); princely upbringing, Chakra; wheels imprinted in sole of feet or hands.
- Presents the Mundra, Dhyana (contemplation/meditation)
What is the difference and similarity between the Gandhara style vs. the Mathura style?
Mathura style: solid bodies, abstract/ linear approach to drapery –> influenced localized indigenous representation of Yakshires.
- Similarities: Smooth bodies.
When does the Temple of Vishnu originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Gupta dynasty) (c. 530 CE)
- Temple for is characteristic of Hindu temples; mimicking the cosmic mountain dwellings of the god. Interior= dwelling place for the deity that is worshipped at the temple.
- Similar to Greco-Roman world; the activity of worship was focused on the exterior, sculpted decoration of the exterior of the walls–> inside is for the deity–> visible but not for communal gatherings.
When does the Vishnu Reclining on Serpent Anata originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Gupta Dynasty) (c. 530 CE)
-Circumambulation of the temple starting at Ganesha
- Hierarchical scale; three registers=clarity= stability/calm emphasizing Vishnu’s state of long slumber.
When does the “Great relief,” Mamallapuram originate? What does the piece provide to the context of South+ Southeast Asia?
(Pallava period) (c. 7th-8th century)
- Water association= Naga (water divinities), water used on special occasional
- Ambiguous– carry multiple meanings. Emphasize individuals as deities–> Pallava rulers close relationship to the gods–> heroic individuals that have a special relationship to the gods, were also protectors of the land and people.
