Why was Silla art considered distinctive and conservative?

The distinctiveness and conservatism of Silla art are often attributed to the kingdom's unique geography. The original territory of the Silla kingdom, located in the modern Kyŏngsang-puk province, was a mountain-secluded triangle. This isolated position is frequently cited by scholars as a primary factor that fostered the development of a unique artistic style while limiting the immediate impact of external cultural influences compared to its neighbors.1

In contrast, the Paekche kingdom, situated in southwestern Korea, occupied a more favorable geographic position that made it highly open and receptive to foreign cultural influences, particularly from China. While Silla art maintained its own character, it eventually became the center of Korean artistic development during the Unified Silla period, a golden age characterized by the prosperity of Buddhism and the construction of numerous temples, pagodas, and granite Buddhist images.12