The Subject Matter of Buddhist Art Consists of .
Nepalese art and architectural designs
View our collections of statues and arts in our gallery
Nepal has developed its own unique fine art and architectural designs over the period of time. Early in the history, Nepalese fine art has been highly influenced by the religion. Hence nosotros can see religious bailiwick thing almost in all the arts developed past the Nepalese artists. Regarding the architectural designs, it is the upshot of the climate and the raw material available in the country, and also the influences from nearby countries and religions. The pattern of the art and architecture has also been inverse according to the dynasties that ruled Nepal. For example, stone carving was at pinnacle during the Lichhavi period while forest etching was well known during the Malla dynasty.
Nepalese art and architectures are highly influenced past both major organized religion of Nepal, i.e. Hinduism and Buddhism. We can too observe that some artworks have a component of both religions proving the country to be religiously tolerant. For example, the temple of avaloketishor (Buddhist deity) located at the eye of Kathmandu, Jana Bahal has the metal artwork of Vishnu Avatar (Hindu deity) placed in the wall of the temple. Therefore in gild to understand Nepalese art, ane requires a clear agreement of these two religions, their nature, and idiosyncrasies.
Categorizations of Nepalese fine art and architectural designs.
Nepalese arts:
Nepalese art circulates around the religious theme basically Hindu and Buddhist. So, the field of study matter of the art are mainly the characters and events of scriptures, Vedas, and Puranas, etc. Regarding the nature of artworks, Nepalese artists have used a various medium to showcase their creative creations. Generally, information technology can be categorized into two category- painting, and sculpture.
Painting: Information technology is believed that the Nepalese artists created paintings before they fabricated sculptures. The paintings can also exist divided into three main categories- Book, scroll, and wall painting. Out of these three paintings, we tin can still observe artists preserving and creating scroll painting. Scroll painting is known as paubha painting in Newari and in English language, it is better known equally Thangka painting.
Sculptures: Nepalese artists used local raw materials to create sculptures. These raw materials were clay, stone, metal, and wood. It is believed that the introduction of sculpture was during the Lichhavi dynasty. But it fostered in the Malla period. The first ever know dirt sculpture is the statue of Baman which was installed by Lichchhavi king Mandeva. Along with statues of Buddha , bodhisattvas, and Hindu deity; statues of the regal family were also created. These statues were installed in front of the major Hindu deities. It is also known that the Bhrikuti , Nepalese princess took Nepalese artists forth with Buddha statues to Tibet and spread Nepalese arts and architecture. Due to this outcome, we can come across the similar manner of architecture and art forms along with statues of Buddhas in Nepal and Tibet. The development of Nepali sculpture reached the summit in the Malla menses.
View our Buddha Statues in our gallery
Nepalese architectural designs
Nepalese architectural designs are the product of climatic condition of Nepal, Influences from neighboring countries and religions. Basically, the architecture tin exist categorized into three styles- Shikhar, pagoda, and chaitya style of architecture.
Shikhar style
It is believed that Shikhar manner of compages has been introduced to Nepal from Republic of india. The unique characteristics of Shikhar style are the structure with several towering and tapering tops with golden pinnacles. This construction is constructed mainly using stone. Mostly, this architectural design is used for Hindu shrines but there are as well cases of structures with Buddha statues. The Mahabauddha temple of Patan is an example of Shikhar style of compages which houses Buddha while Krishna Mandir house Hindu deity, Krishna.
Pagoda style
It is believed that pagoda mode of architecture is developed due to the climatic condition of Nepal. The unique characteristic of this style is multi-storied, mainly constructed with bricks and clay, and wooden column to support the construction. Normally the infinite of the floor decreases, equally nosotros move upstairs and we can see a slanting roof on each flooring. On the top, the structure normally has a gilt pinnacle. Another of import attribute of this construction is Tudal, above the main archway, which is beautifully carved with different subjects. All the woods used in this structure are beautifully carved to showcase the artistic creations.
Chaitya fashion
The chaitya style of compages is the upshot of the influence of Buddhism. It has different names around the due south-Asian countries. The unique characteristic of this style is- information technology constitutes of a hemispherical dome at the base. Above this dome is the rectangular object painted with optics and olfactory organ along with the third eye and so umbrella-like disc around the fundamental single colonnade and on top of that is the elevation. The dome consists of images of five Dhyani Buddhas and prayer wheels are installed nearly the dome which encircles the chaitya. While constructing the chaitya, a Buddhist rituals must be performed and should business firm a Buddhist relic which makes the stupa sacred. Swyambhunath and Boudhanath are the excellent examples of chaitya style of architecture.
Along with above style of compages, Mughal way of architecture is too found in Nepal. At modern period during Rana authorities, European style of architecture was introduced and was constructed.
Source: https://www.nepal-tibet-buddhas.com/blog/nepalese-art-and-architectural-designs/