Mathura Art

Mathura Art holds a special place in the Indian History for its unique pattern evolved in the 1st to 5th century AD. The sculptural masterpieces excavated here reflect the Indian art from early times to the medieval period.

The golden period of the art of Mathura was when the Kushan and Gupta kings were ruling. The Kushans, who were great supporters of art, ruled over a vast empire in North India from 1 to 175 AD. Two schools of sculptural art evolved during this period, namely the Gandhara and Mathura. These are two of the most renowned art schools all over the world. Although these school of art portrayed Indian compositions, the Gandhara School was based on Greco-Roman rules of art in the true sense. The Gandhara School of art combined foreign techniques of art with Indian ideas. On the other hand Mathura School of Art was absolutely Indian. Till date it maintains its traditionalism.

The Mathura School of Art is actually noted worldwide for its vitality and compromising character in Indian themes. The zeal of Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism is very well noted in the paintings of Mathura School of Art. The Mathura Schools of Art reached its height of success during the Kushan Period. The most famous creation of this period is the humanlike image of the Buddha who was newly represented by certain symbols.

The artists of Mathura Art were pioneers who created some priceless paintings and sculptures. Images of Jain Tirthankars and Hindu deities were also created by these marvelous artists in Mathura. Some specimens are still preserved in the famous museums at Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Mathura.