Question

Which of the following is not true of art during the Gupta Period?
a.
Many of the sculptures were carved out of a mountainside.
b.
Murals were painted on prepared plaster surfaces, and colored with natural pigments.
c.
The Indian people believed the Buddha was reincarnated, so many of the paintings showed scenes from Buddha’s past lives.
d.
The art combined Hellenistic, Persian, and Native styles.

Answer 1

c

Explanation: Gupta-period art did depict scenes from the Buddha’s past lives (Jataka tales), but it is misleading to say “the Buddha was reincarnated” in the simple sense implied: the Buddha is portrayed as having many past lives prior to enlightenment, but after attaining nirvana he is not regarded as being reincarnated. The other statements about rock-cut sculpture, mural technique, and stylistic blending are correct.