Gupta Period Art (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VHA 221
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to-

  1. Develop skills to visualize the works of art and architecture of Gupta period.
  2. Analyze art done in Gupta period historically and contextually.
  3. Differentiate Gupta art from other art periods.
  4. Determine the role of Gupta art in developing succeeding art periods.

 

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Course

 

     Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

 

 

VHA221

 

 

Gupta Period Art

 

The students will -

CO30.  Develop a creative eye to appreciate Gupta art considering its subject, style and techniques to later incorporate it in their writing.

CO31. Reflecting on Gupta period, artists, methods and techniques to assess the qualities of work of art in terms of techniques, skills, and tools.

CO32.  Validate historical and contextual analysis of a work of art to construct in depth analysis of their own works and those of peers.

CO33.  Experience the iconography in Gupta period art to be able to trace variations in painting, sculpture and architecture created.

CO34.  Argue on how art changes according to social political changes and the patrons responsible for art so as to build and hold conversations at museums, art galleries and art meetings.

CO35. Develop analytic and critical skills and an artistic sensitivity to contemplate the works of Gupta art period.

 

 

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration of writing and visualizing.

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving writing tasks.

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects, regular submission.

 

15.00
Unit I: 

A Brief outline of the history of the Imperial Gupta Dynasty with chronology of Gupta Kings, Introduction to Gupta period art, The Salient features of Gupta art (Costumes, Headgears, Hairstyles, Jewelleries, etc of male, female, servant, king, queen, etc.)

The Evolution of the Buddha images in the Mathura and SarnathSchools of Art in the Gupta period.

 

15.00
Unit II: 

The study of Gupta Numismatics: Historiography of Gupta Numismatics, Roman and Kushan influence on the Gupta Coinage, Types of Gupta Gold Coins, the Iconography of Obverse and Reverse sides of the coins in detail from the reign of Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I, Skandagupta, Chandragupta III, NarsimhaguptaBaladitya, Kumaragupta II.

 

15.00
Unit III: 

Gupta Period: The Golden age of art and architecture in India, The plan and basic elements of architecture- Sanchi temple no. 17, The Parvati Devi temple at Nachna Kuthara, the temple of Bhitaragaon, the Vishnu temple at Tigawa, the Shiva temple at Bhumara and the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh (Architecture and Sculptural Ornamentation), Jataka painted in Ajanta and Bagh Caves.

 

15.00
Unit IV: 

Sculptures and cave architecture of The Chaitya and Vihara caves at Ajanta and the Ellora caves, the rock-cut caves at Khandagiri, Udayagiri- Sculptures: Historical background and Iconography  of Varah Incarnation: Varaha, Adivaraha or Nar- Varaha, Yajnavaraha, Pralayavaraha, Mahavaraha, Varaha in boar form; Nar- Varaha from Udaigiri cave 5, Eran Varaha- Anthropomorphic and Theomorphic form,  Iconography of Mukhalinga, Evolution of Mukhalingams in Gupta period, the uniconic form: one-faced linga or ekmukhalinga Cave 4 Udaigiri and ekmukhalinga Bhumra.

 

15.00
Unit V: 

Terracotta from Gupta period: Ganga and Yamuna from Ahichhatra, Mirpurkhas Seated Buddha, Standing Buddha Mathura, Seated Buddha Mathura, Seated Buddha Sarnath, Standing Buddha Sarnath,DakshinamurtiAhichhatra, Flight to Indra’s Paradise and Kinnari group Bagh cave painting, Parvati head Ahichhatra, Rakshas ceiling Ajanta, Shiva Gana destroying Dakshas Sacrifice Ahichhatra, Decorative brick on tile Mirpurkhas. Ekmukhalinga from Khoh, Mahishasurmardini from Bhumra, M.P.,Vishnu Sheshai Dasavatara temple etc.

 

References: 

BOOKS RECOMMENDED:

  • The Hindu temple, Volume 1 by Stella Kramrisch, Raymond Burnier
  • An Introduction to Gupta Numismatics by S.R. Goyal, KusumanjaliPrakashan, Jodhpur
  • Gupta Art by V.S. Agarwal
  • Art of Gupta India by Joanna G. Williams
  • Art and Architecture of India by Benjamin Rowland
  • Indian Architecture by Percy Brown
  • Indian Art,Culture and Literature by Shanti Lal Nagar

 

Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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