Discuss the differences between Gothic sculpture in Western Europe and Hindu sculpture in India

India has produced provocative (From Western standards) sculptures, from Mithuna the Hindu, representation of male and female sculpture locked in a passionate embrace. During the time period of 500 through the 1300 CE, Hindu temple architecture, and sculpture reached new levels of imagination and complexity. A great example would be the Mithuna couple showed in a tight hug with the female leg crossed over the males arms wrapped around each other, and what appears to be the couple kissing, which on western standards, would exhibit a state of an erotic pose. India’s artistic ability’s showed an advanced style, when it produced the marvelous Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the dance, from southern India, Chola period, eleventh century, Bronze height 5ft surrounded by a ring of fire, Shiva dances the eternal rhythms of the universe, birth , death, and rebirth. This sculpture too, not one of eroticism, just magnificent with a women dancing inside a ring of fire, the overall size, just added to the statue, and present of this piece of art. Hindu devotional practices elevate, and promote a sculpture, to an individual’s state of looking or gazing at God’s image; Hinduism holds that God is present in its representations, thus visual contact with a sculpture is like viewing the divine. This is referred to as darshan (Literally, “seeing and being seen by the God”) the very act of beholding the image is an act of worship. Gothic design with its flare, when thinking about sculptures it leads you to the grotesque’s gargoyles waterspouts, these were grotesque figures or hybrid beasts that adorn the rooftops or flying buttresses of the Gothic cathedrals, and were said to ward off evil. The one’s adorning Notre Dame , in Paris are astonishing , Whe...

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...is similar to a Hindu, viewing a sculpture of a God, Hinduism holds that God is present in its representations, symbols or images, thus by simply viewing these figures , you are in direct contact with God. It is nice to witness first hand, the religious faithful. In the Gothic cathedral, one may view many kneeling down in prayer before a religious sculpture, and viewing the overwhelming feeling of both joy and sadness while in prayer. It is difficult, now with morality in our society today eroding, and deteriorating in so many areas, it is easy to side with the churches stance or viewpoint on sin. However, is the collapse of morality tied in with the erotic human form?. Interesting how two major religions have such opposing viewpoints?. I do know from experience and faith, a society need moral direction, or a moral compass to guide us between right and wrong.