Art of South and Southeast Asia
Things to get:
- Your China/Korea
reading homework
- Blank white sheet
of paper from the front of
the room
- Notebook paper
Things to do:
- Be seated IN
YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT
with the items above
PRIOR TO the bell ringing.
Art of South and Southeast Asia
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Opener
◦ Complete a “A Draw a…”
 Dive your paper into two even sections
 Fold “hamburger” style
 On the left: draw an image of a Hindu god
 Label important characteristics
 On the right: draw an image of a Seated Buddha
 Label important characteristics
If time allows, please use color. Remember: it’s about content
accuracy and NOT being Picasso… or Eakins… or Homer...
Objectives
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Describe the art and architecture of the Indus civilization
Explain how Buddhist beliefs were reflected in the art and
architecture of ancient India and Southeast Asia
Explain how Hindu beliefs were reflected in art and architecture in
ancient India and Southeast Asia
Identify the materials and formal strategies ancient Indian and
Southeast Asian artists employed to represent Hindu and Buddhist
themes
Differentiate between southern and northern style Hindu temples
Describe Southeast Asia’s contributions to Hindu and Buddhist art
and architecture
Discuss the influence trade exerted on art and architecture in ancient
India and Southeast Asia
Identify examples of intercultural contact within India and Southeast
Asia, and between Asian and other ancient civilizations.
Themes to Consider
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Narrative in Art
Human Body in Art
Architecture of Sacred Spaces
Portrayal of Nature
Questions to Consider
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What is the importance of the
commissioning of the artwork?
How can art be used to establish social
control and political authority?
South and Southeast Asia:
Indus Valley Civilization
Mohenjo-daro and Harappa
Urban
 Commercially
enterprising
 Aligned to compass
pts.
 No designated
palaces/temples
 Art objects not found
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◦ Mostly small/utilitarian
Robed Male Figure
From Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan, ca. 2000-1900 BCE
Shows ability to
show human form,
but subject is unclear
 What are the
similarities to
Sumerian sculptures?
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Indus Seals
Used to identify
owner
 Official Signature
 Trade relationship
with Mesopotamia
established
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◦ Creatures, both
recognized and
mythological
Merging of Cultures:
The Aryans and Hinduism
Origins disputed
 1500 BCE- Vedas
were written
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◦ Sanskrit
◦ 4 texts define religious
doctrine
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No Aryan god images
are present
◦ Gods related to the
elements
◦ All are male
Hinduism Cont’d
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800-500 BCE
Upanishads
◦ Define reincarnation
(samsara); karma;
moksha (ending
reincarnation by
merging into the
cosmos
Dancing Shiva, rock-cut relief in cave
temple, Badami, India.
Shiva as Nataraja, ca. 1000. Bronze.
Naltunai Ishvaram Temple, Punjai.
1) What do the differences depicted in the relief and statue signify?
2) What is the significance between the stone sculpture’s
permanent place and the statues mobility in the Hindu religion?
Vishvanatha Temple
Rajarajeshvara Temple
Hindu Temples… a review
Buddhism
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Siddhartha Gautama
◦ Birth @ 400 BCE at
Lumbini
◦ His achievement of
Buddhahood while
meditating under the
Bodhi tree
◦ First sermon as the
Buddha Sarnath
◦ Attainment of Nirvana
at death
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Self discipline/selfdenial
Maurya Dynasty (4th-2nd century BCE)
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Buddhism (modified)
used to govern India
Implemented by
Ashoka
Laws written on
monolithic columns
Elaborate capitals
◦ Lion Gate
 Pillar carved for Samath
Great Stupa
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Stupa= symbol of the
cosmos
◦ World mtn. w/cardinal
points delineated by the
gates (toranas)
◦ Square fenced in area
(hamika) atop the dome
symbolizes one of Buddha’s
paradises
◦ Middle of (hamika) is a pole
(yasti)that symbolizes the
axis of the universe
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Circumambulation:
worshipper must walk
clockwise around the
stupa them climb to the
next level
◦ Reflects rational, coherent,
symmetrical world
Bodhisattva
Serves as an
intermediary for the
worshipper to
petition aide and
assistance
 Why are so few of
these images left?
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Buddha in human form
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Indian gods weren’t
depicted at the time
of the first figural
image of Buddha
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Why were images of
Buddha created?
Buddha in Human Form
Two Main Styles
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Gandhara- Seated Buddha
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Mathura- Seated Buddha
Which seated Buddha shows a Hellenistic influence?
Gandhara Seated Buddha
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Hellenistic work
similarity
◦ Wavy hair
◦ Ribbon around the
topknot
◦ Stylized draperies
of the robe
Mathura Seated Buddha
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Closer to Indian
aesthetic
◦ More massive chest
◦ Columnar legs
 Closer to male form of
yakshi
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Becomes the #1
style choice of
Buddha
representation
Gupta work from
Cave V, Udayagiri
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Boar Avatar of Vishnu
Commissioned by
Chandragupta
Mathura style
Symbolism?
Political overtones?
Application:
Putting your knowledge to the test!
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Using the images given, create a visual aid with a
partner that completes the following:
◦ Identify the works as Hindu or Buddhist art
◦ Finally, select a theme and explain how Hindu and
Buddhist art can fulfill that theme. BE SPECIFIC! You
may have a separate statement for each religion.
Exit Slip: Angor Wat
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1) How tall is the pinnacle and how is its
height achieved?
2) What is a naga and how is it used in
Angkor Wat?
3) What artistic preference is seen in Khmer
architecture?
4) How many square feet of reliefs cover the
walls of the Gallery of Bas-Reliefs? To what
does the author liken these reliefs?
5) Pretend that you are leading a tour of
Angkor Wat. What parts of the complex
would you visit? Why?
6) Consider the themes presented at the
beginning of this presentation: Is Angor Wat a
Buddhist or Hindu temple or a shrine for a
multitude of dieties? Why?