Gupta (culture and style)
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Refers to the culture of the Gupta period in North Central India from the early 4th century to the late 5th century, considered to be the 'classical' period of Indian art. The Gupta period saw an outpouring of science, visual art, music, and literature, and had its zenith during the reign of Chandra Gupta II (375-415 CE). Some of India's earliest surviving paintings were created during this period at the Buddhist caves at Ajanta in the Deccan; the paintings are characterized by lively calligraphic line and life-like, contemporary details. The renowned Gupta sculptural style probably grew out of the Kushan style; by the end of the 4th century a distinctive Buddha icon had developed, characterized by monumental simplicity and refined realism. The tension of earlier Mathuran sculpture has been replaced by a calm and tranquil mood connoting a spiritual other worldliness that is a hallmark of the Gupta Buddhist style. The many sculptural finds at Sarnath include a group of sculptures known as the 'wet Buddhas' in which clinging drapery and webbed fingers are distinguishing Gupta features. During this period, Hindu art emerged into prominence; the earliest and most dramatic example of Gupta Hindu art is the rock-cut shrine at Udayagiri of 401. The sculptor of the reliefs of the ruined Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh took the Buddhist style of Sarnath and applied it to a Hindu motif with striking results. Very little Gupta art, however, remains as much of the art, both Buddhist and Hindu, was destroyed during the invasions of the Huns and the advent of Islam.