The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Upper Palaeolithic period marks the earliest phase of rock art in India, best exemplified by the rock shelters of Bhimbetka. These paintings are characterized by their specific colour palette and the stylistic treatment of large animal figures.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Wash paintings are not completely absent. While the art is predominantly linear, standard texts (such as NCERT) note that a few wash paintings exist during this phase, although they are not the dominant style.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The figures, particularly the large animals like bisons, elephants, tigers, and boars, are mostly filled with geometric patterns. Artists used designs such as zigzag lines and cross-hatching to texture the bodies of these animals.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The paintings of the Upper Palaeolithic phase are typically executed in green and dark red colours. These pigments were used to create linear representations of huge animal figures and stick-like human forms.
Key Takeaway:
Upper Palaeolithic rock art is distinguished by large animal figures filled with geometric patterns and executed primarily in green and dark red, contrasting with the smaller, narrative-driven scenes of the later Mesolithic period.