Mathura
- Scope note
- Refers to the culture, particularly sculpture, of Mathura, a cosmopolitan city on the Jumna river, during the Kushan period of ancient India; Mathura seems to have been a second capital of the Kushan dynasty and it was one of the dynasty's two important artistic centers, the other being Gandhara. Buddhist Mathura sculpture includes Buddha portraits based on yaksha (male earth-spirit) models, as well as some of the earliest examples of entirely Indian Buddha figures. The many vivacious and frankly sexual yakshi figures (female earth-spirits) are also well-known examples of Mathuran sculpture. One of the most notable achievements of the period was the assimilation of the Mauryan-style standing colossus to Buddhist purposes. Characteristics of Mathura sculpture include monumental frontality; the rendering of gathered, transparent drapery as small ringed folds; and later Buddha figures with large haloes decorated with foliated scroll-work. Deep relief is common in the 2nd century while a more smooth and linear style is found in the 5th century. Much Mathura sculpture is carved out of local Sikri sandstone, which is pink or mottled red with cream spots. Mathuran icons were imported to other areas of India and they were also copied by other workshops. Although the Kushan dynasty declined in the 3rd century, the Kushan style of art at Mathura survived and later led to the further development of the Buddha icon in the Gupta period.
- Date of creation: 29-Apr-2024
Accepted term: 29-Apr-2024 
