Ajanta: Cave 2, Painting on northwest side, in three panels, 500-650 A.D.
Date
Authors
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
Cave 2 is another chaitya hall at Ajanta and is dated the 6th or very early 7th century A.D. The attitude of the Mahayana Buddhism predominates in the decorational systems of this hall, both in the sculptures of the façade and in the murals of the interior, which portray not only Buddha figures, but all the inhabitants of the Buddha's paradise, This is in keeping with the concept of the sanctuary as representing a parcel of earth of the higher spheres into which the faithful may ascend after death if his earthly existence has been pious and all his acts meritous, In this tri-paneled section of the murals on the northwest side of the chaitya hall is one of the heavenly inhabitants of the Buddha paradise seated upon his throne and surrounded by attendants, Possibly, the figure is that of the Great Bodhisattva, Padmapani, or of Indra, The style of the mural painting is somewhat different from that at Cave 17 previously discussed, The stage for the figures is shallow and uncomplicated, yet filled with figures which do not move in great activity, Modeling is again accomplished with the use of light and shade, but we see that this is confined to the very edges of the contours,
Citation
Collections
Source
Type
Archives Series
Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
Access Statement
License Rights
This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.
DOI
Restricted until
Downloads
File
Description