Buddha; historical region of Gandhara; 3rd-4th centuries

Buddha; historical region of Gandhara; 3rd - 4th centuries
Carved schist
It presents faults and losses
Measurements: 69 cm (height).

Buddha sculpture from the historical region of Gandhara, today Pakistan, an excellent example of Greco-Buddhist art. It presents characteristic elements of this style, as it could be the monastic dress that falls in U-shaped folds embracing the silhouette of Buddha; the meticulous details of the draping or hair are lost in the back of the piece, where a rougher roughing is seen that reveals a location originally intended for the piece to be seen only by its front.

This was a model that enjoyed great success, and similar pieces can be found in the National Museum of Tokyo, the Guimet Museum and the National Museum of New Delhi.

Greco-Buddhist art has its origin in the cultural exchanges between different peoples over time. During Alexander the Great's campaign in South Asia and India, Buddhism was rare in northwest India, where Greek satrapies were established. The earliest depictions of the Buddha emerged sometime between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD. Prior to this period, Buddhist art avoided portraying the Buddha in human form, opting instead for symbols. The appearance of his image marked a significant change and quickly reached a high degree of sculptural sophistication, influenced by the artistic styles of Hellenistic Greece.