Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which one of the following sculptures invariably used green schist as the medium?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: D
Concept
Regional art styles in ancient India were often defined by the locally available geological materials which influenced the aesthetic and durability of the sculptures.Explanation
Gandhara art, flourishing in the northwestern Indian subcontinent during the Kushan Empire (1st to 3rd centuries CE), utilized green schist found locally. This soft stone allowed for the intricate, realistic Greco-Roman detailing characteristic of the style.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Green schist is native to the Gandhara region (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan), making it the natural choice for local artisans.
Logic 2: Unlike the red sandstone used in Mathura art or the polished sandstone of Mauryan art, green schist provided a distinct texture and color for depicting the Buddha in human form with Greco-Roman drapery.
Logic 3: The medium's malleability supported the 'realistic proportions' that define the Gandhara school.