The correct option is
1 only
Explanation
The Gupta period marks a high point in Indian bronze sculpture, characterized by the refinement of aesthetic styles. Two distinct schools of art flourished during this period: the Mathura School and the Sarnath School. The distinction largely lies in the treatment of drapery and body modeling.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Dhanesar Khera bronze Buddha was discovered in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. It is a significant artifact inscribed with a date corresponding to the Gupta era, confirming its provenance and historical context within the region.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The drapery of the Dhanesar Khera Buddha is not foldless. Instead, the robe (sanghati) covers both shoulders and is arranged in a series of schematic, rhythmic folds that hang down in loops. This treatment of drapery is a hallmark of the Mathura style, contrasting with the transparent, foldless "wet drapery" look.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Since the statue features prominent drapery folds, it exemplifies the Mathura style of the Gupta period, not the Sarnath style. The Sarnath style is famously characterized by plain, transparent drapery that clings to the body without visible folds, as seen in the Sultanganj Buddha or the stone Buddhas of Sarnath.
Key Takeaway:
In Gupta art, the Mathura style retains schematic folds in the drapery, whereas the Sarnath style is distinguished by its "wet," transparent, and foldless drapery that reveals the body's form.