**Mathura School and Gandhara School: A Comparison**

The Mathura School and the Gandhara School were two prominent centers of art and sculpture during the early historic period. While both schools flourished around the same time, they differed significantly in terms of their artistic styles, subject matter, and cultural influences. Let's explore these differences in detail:

**Mathura School:**

1. **Artistic Style**: The Mathura School of art was known for its indigenous Indian style and was influenced by the native artistic traditions of the region. The sculptures from Mathura were characterized by their naturalistic and idealized representations of human figures.

2. **Subject Matter**: The Mathura School predominantly focused on religious and mythological themes, with a special emphasis on the portrayal of Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. The sculptures often depicted episodes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

3. **Materials and Techniques**: Sculptures from the Mathura School were primarily made using red sandstone, a locally available material. The artists employed a variety of techniques such as carving, polishing, and intricate detailing to bring out the beauty and realism of the sculptures.

4. **Iconography**: The Mathura School followed a unique iconographic style, where the deities were portrayed with distinctive attributes and symbols. For example, Lord Vishnu was depicted with four arms, holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus.

**Gandhara School:**

1. **Artistic Style**: The Gandhara School of art was heavily influenced by Hellenistic and Roman art due to its proximity to the ancient trade routes. As a result, the sculptures from Gandhara displayed a unique fusion of Indian and Greco-Roman styles.

2. **Subject Matter**: The Gandhara School primarily focused on Buddhist art and culture. The sculptures depicted various scenes from the life of Buddha, Jataka tales, and Buddhist divinities. The Gandhara School also produced images of Hindu gods and goddesses.

3. **Materials and Techniques**: The artists of the Gandhara School mainly used grey-blue schist stone, which was imported from the nearby regions. They employed techniques like relief carving, drapery modeling, and meticulous detailing to create intricate and lifelike sculptures.

4. **Iconography**: The Gandhara School followed a distinct iconographic style heavily influenced by the Hellenistic tradition. The sculptures depicted Buddha and other divinities with a Greek-like physique, wearing flowing robes, and adorned with intricate jewelry.

In conclusion, the Mathura School and the Gandhara School differed in terms of their artistic styles, subject matter, materials, techniques, and iconography. While the Mathura School showcased an indigenous Indian style with a focus on Hindu deities, the Gandhara School displayed a fusion of Indian and Greco-Roman styles with a primary emphasis on Buddhist art and culture. These two schools played a significant role in shaping the art and sculpture of the early historic period, showcasing the diversity and richness of ancient Indian civilization.