Refers to the culture, particularly sculpture, of the city of Sarnath in northern India, during the Gupta period. Sarnath is especially known for its Buddha figures which were widely disseminated and for centuries influenced representations of Buddha in eastern India as well as Southeast Asia. Developed in the late 5th century, these sculptures break with the plastic forms created by Mathura sculptors; instead, the Buddhas, depicted in a transcendent state, are perfectly and harmonically proportioned but are not naturalistically treated. Also, their clothing clings to their bodies but not in a realistic manner. The smooth bodies and clothing contrast with the intricately decorated haloes, which resemble those of contemporary standing Buddha figures from Mathura. Sarnath sculptors also created high-quality narrative sculpture, mainly stelae depicting events from the Buddha's life.
