Stylistic Significance of the Gandharan Buddha
EXAM FORMAT: THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THE EXAM: You must complete BOTH parts.
PART I: Significance Essay 1 (50 points)
PART II: Significance Essay 2 (50 points)
TOTAL: 100 Points
Each essay should be at least 1-2 pages in length, 12 pt font, double-spaced and submitted in .doc format or posted directly into discussion box.
SUBMISSION:
Submit BOTH your essays in a single document to Turnitin.com to generate an Originality Report.
Class ID: Enrollment Key:
Then post your essays with the Originality Report in one post in the Assignment Topic 7.1 Midterm Exam.
Clearly identify each response with the following headings: Part I and Part II
RESOURCES:
You may use the following guide as resource:
These definitions may also be helpful in understanding the assignment:
CONTEXT: This means what was going on culturally, historically and politically that may have influenced the style and themes that developed during the time. This could include key ideas or philosophies influencing artists, major historical events, social and political issues or aspects of the artists' geographic location.
STYLE: This means the physical aspects of the work. The artists' use of color, shape, line, light, mass, scale, balance, design, etc. . The medium and materials used as well as the themes addressed.
MIDTERM EXAM: TWO PARTS: TOTAL 100 Pts
PART I : Significance Essay 1: STYLISTIC Analysis (50 points)
Choose ONE of the below images to discuss for your first significance essay.
Image 3
Choose one of the above images. Write an essay (1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, 12 pt. font) discussing its STYLISTIC significance. Be sure to cover the following points in your analysis:
• Identify the artist, title, period style and medium.
• Analyze the stylistic characteristics (light, line, color, scale, medium & subject matter)
• Why is the artwork stylistically significant? How does it represent its regional, religious or cultural style?
• What stylistic influences can you identify?
• Be sure to apply specific art historical terms (vocabulary) in your answer.
• Use complete sentences and paragraphs including an introduction and conclusion.
The essay must be 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, 12 pt. font.
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PART II: Significance Essay II: Analysis of CULTURAL CONTEXT (50 points)
Choose ONE of the below images to discuss for your second significance essay.
Image 1 Image 3
Choose ONE of the above images. Write an essay (1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, 12 pt. font) discussing its CULTURAL significance. Be sure to cover the following points in your analysis:
• Identify the artist, title, period style and medium.
• Discuss the subject matter of the artwork. Does it contain any iconography, symbolism, narrative story or message?
• Discuss the cultural (religious, historical, political) context of the artwork.
• Why is this artwork culturally significant? What does it tell us about the culture/religion/region that produced it?
• Be sure to apply specific art historical terms (vocabulary) in your answer.
• Use complete sentences and paragraphs including an introduction and conclusion.
The essay must be 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, 12 pt. font.
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Outside research is not necessary. The midterm exam is testing you on how well you have understood and mastered what you have learned in the class modules and discussions. Remember to employ the art historical vocabulary and terms included in module information. If you do employ outside research, you are required to include all your sources in footnotes and in a formal bibliography (MLA format style).
Instructions
Midterm Essay prompt will be provided by your instructor.
Purpose
To demonstrate mastery of the content covered in Modules 1 through 6.
Tools
Word-processing software, such as Microsoft Word
Due Date
This assignment is due by the end of this module.
Submission Directions
Please submit your essay in this Discussion topic either pasted directly into the Discussion box or uploaded as DOC or PDF formats.
Student Name
Professor Name
Course
Date
Midterm Essay’s Parts I and II
Part I
Stylistic significance of the Gandharan Buddha
The piece in question is a standing Buddha figure made in the late 2nd century CE to early 3rd century CE, during the Kushan era. This piece of art is 72 inches (182.9 cm) tall and is made of phyllite (Dietz 49). It is Gandhara Arts, with styles similar to Greek and Roman sculpting. Buddhism flourished in Gandhara, now Pakistan and Afghanistan, from the 3rd century BCE until around 1200 CE (Dietz 49). The Indo-Greek descendants of Alexander from Gandhara constructed the first human Buddha image in stone and metal, in relief and round, and on coins in the early first century BCE. This earliest Buddha image is the Gandharan Buddha.
A notable feature of the Gandharan Buddha is his style. Realism and Greek influence characterize the sculpture. The Buddha's facial features are realistic and precise, unlike prior portrayals. Primarily naturalistic, the Buddha's face is proportioned (Dietz 50). The sculpture's light and shadow play gives the Buddha's shape depth and dimension.
Line and scale are crucial to understanding the Gandharan Buddha's style. Straight, smooth sculptural lines give the picture a distinct, precise appearance. Gray phyllite allowed detailed exploration of microscopic characteristics and texture, adding to the sculpture's realism (Dietz 50). Life-sized Gandharan Buddhas make art more intimate. Traditional Buddhist art depicted the Buddha as a figure, but the life-sized scale is distinct.
Gandharan Buddha is about the Buddha himself. The sculpture depicts the Buddha in