Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes the paintings of the Gupta period?

• A. They were true frescoes painted on wet plaster.
• B. They primarily depicted Hindu mythology and were found only in South India.
• C. The murals at Ajanta and Bagh, part of the Madhyadesa School, were painted on dry plaster and depict Buddhist themes.
• D. The Gupta paintings are mostly lost, with no surviving examples of Buddhist art.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The murals at Ajanta and Bagh, part of the Madhyadesa School, were painted on dry plaster and depict Buddhist themes.

Paintings of Gupta Period Traces of paintings from this period can be seen at Ajanta, Bagh, Badami, and several other locations. The mural paintings at Ajanta are not true frescoes, as frescoes are created on wet plaster, whereas these murals were painted after the plaster had dried. The surface preparation for these artworks was relatively simple. The art found in Ajanta and Bagh represents the Madhyadesa School of painting at its finest. Among the most exquisite examples of Buddhist art from the Gupta period are the murals in the Ajanta caves. These vibrant paintings, illustrating scenes from the life of the Buddha and stories from the Jatakas, have remarkably retained their rich colors through the centuries.