The art and architecture of India - Buddhist, Hindu, Jain (Art Ebook)

58 ROMANO-INDIAN ART
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already noted in the carvings at Sanchi and
Bharhut. Not only is there a thoroughly convincing
suggestion of solidity of form, but the
articulation of body and limbs is achieved with
complete mastery and no suggestion of the
mechanistic joining of individual parts that
characterized the work of the archaic schools.
The figures of the fertility spirits are usually
represented in attitudes of violent contrapposto,
with the body broken as many as three times on
its axis. This sinuous and moving type of pose,
as well as the eloquent and really flower-like
gestures of the hands, suggest very strongly the
active imitation by the carvers of the poses and
gestures of the Indian dance. The question may
well be asked: what is the purpose of such
frankly sensuous figures on a Buddhist monument?
The answer is that possibly they
102. The yaksha Kuvera and his court
from Pal Khera. .
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Muttra, Archaeological Museum <J"
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