QUES . Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. UPSC 2014 G S MAINS PAPER 1

HINTS:

The Gandhara School of Art developed in the western frontiers of Punjab, near modern day Peshawar and Afghanistan. The Greek invaders brought with them the traditions of the Greek and Roman sculptors, which influenced the local traditions of the region. Thus, Gandhara School also came to be known as Greco-Indian School of Art.

Gandhara art is a style of Buddhist visual art that developed between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE. The style, of Greco-Roman origin, seems to have flourished largely during the Kushan dynasty.

Must read: Kanishka – greatest Kushan king

Roman origin elements in the Gandhara art

֍ In its interpretation of Buddhist legends, the Gandhara school incorporated many motifs and techniques from classical Roman art, including vine scrolls, cherubs bearing garlands, tritons, and the basic iconography, however, remained Indian.

֍ The Gandhara school drew upon the anthropomorphic traditions of Roman religion and represented the Buddha with a youthful Apollo-like face, dressed in garments resembling those seen on Roman imperial statues.

֍ Dresses of Buddha also related with Roman empire.

Greek origin elements in the Gandhara art

֍ Some of the Greek characteristics of Gandhara sculpture are a graceful face, wavy hair, beard, a big forehead, and large ears.

֍ Buddha is represented as Greek Sun God Apollo in most of the sculpture.

֍ Halo around Buddha.

֍ Buddha pictures found in Gandhara have an Apollo-like face, natural realism, and waves in their hair that are reminiscent of Hellenistic heritage.

֍ The mother of Buddha resembles with Athenian matron.

֍ It has a strong idealistic realism and sensuous description of Hellenistic art.

֍ The Buddha of the Gandhara school has wavy hair and a long nose set in an oval face. The drape of his garment recalls the togas of Hellenistic sculpture, the divine figure often acquires humanistic details such as jewellery and a moustache.

֍ Figures from the Greek pantheon appear alongside statues of the Buddha, often flanked by Corinthian columns and mounted on friezes.

Though many features of Gandhara art were influenced by foreign elements, it also developed unique features with indigenous influence.

External link: https://niu.edu.in/sla/online-classes/BHS-201_Mathura-and-Gandhara-School-of-Art.pdf