The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Amaravati School of Art flourished in the Andhra region (lower Krishna-Godavari valley) primarily under the patronage of the Satavahanas and later the Ikshvakus (approx. 150 BCE - 350 CE). It is distinct for its use of white limestone (often referred to as white marble) and its focus on the decoration of the Mahachaitya (Great Stupa).
Statement 1: Correct
The Amaravati Stupa is renowned for its elaborate ornamentation. The structural dome and the drum were covered with sculpted relief slabs. These slabs depicted various narrative scenes and floral designs, making the stupa a monumental canvas of relief sculpture.
Statement 2: Incorrect
The figures in Amaravati art are celebrated for their dynamic energy, flexibility, and grace. Unlike the relatively static or rigid figures found in other contemporary schools, Amaravati sculptures display intense movement, complex overlapping compositions, and emotional expression. The figures are often slender and depicted in the tribhanga (three-bends) posture.
Statement 3: Correct
The development of Amaravati art occurred in phases. The early phase is characterized by narrative reliefs that depict Jataka stories and events from the life of the Buddha. During this phase, the Buddha was largely represented through aniconic symbols (such as the throne, footprints, or the Bodhi tree) within these narratives, before the transition to iconic (anthropomorphic) representation in later phases.
Key Takeaway:
The Amaravati School is distinguished by its use of white limestone, narrative relief panels, and figures characterized by dynamic movement and complex compositions, contrasting with the static rigidity of other styles.