The Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture holds a significant place in Indian art history, playing a crucial role in its development. Originating in the 1st century AD alongside the Mathura School under the rule of Kushana leader Kanishka, the Gandhara School had patronage from both Shakas and Kushanas. It is famous for its pioneering sculptural depictions of the Buddha in human form. The art of the Gandhara School, mainly Mahayana, exhibits significant Greco-Roman influence.

The Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture, also known as the Greco-Buddhist School of Art, applied Greek techniques to depict Buddhist subjects. This school presented a significant gift through the creation of stunning images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Crafted in black stone, these sculptures were modeled on characters from the Greco-Roman pantheon. The most characteristic quality of Gandhara sculpture lies in its representation of Lord Buddha in standing or seated positions.

History

The sources of Greco-Buddhist art originated in the Hellenistic Greco-Bactrian kingdom (250 BC-130 BC) situated in Afghanistan. Hellenistic culture then spread into the Indian subcontinent with the establishment of the Indo-Greek kingdom (180 BC-10 BC).

During the periods of the Indo-Greeks and the Kushanas, the interaction between Greek and Buddhist culture thrived in the Gandhara region, located in today’s northern Pakistan. This cultural exchange expanded further into India, influencing the art of Mathura. Eventually, the Hindu art of the Gupta Empire extended its influence to the rest of South-East Asia.

Materials of Gandhara School of Sculpture

The Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture utilized materials such as grey sandstone, green phyllite, and gray-blue mica schist. Additionally, mud, lime, and stucco were employed in the creation of artworks. Notably, marble was not a material commonly used in Gandhara art. Stucco, however, provided artists with a standard of immense gracefulness, allowing for a high degree of fluency in sculpting.

Mudras of Buddha in Gandhara Art and Sculpture

The Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture revealed a distinctive feature by incorporating four types of hand signs. Notably, the Buddha depicted in Gandhara Art is portrayed making four specific hand gestures.

In all the Buddha which represent the Gandhara Art is shows making four types of hand gestures and this is a remarkable feature in this art. The gestures are as follows:

Abhayamudra: Don’t fear

Dhyanamudra: meditation

Dharmachakramudra: a preaching mudra

Bhumisparshamudra: Touching the earth.

This unique aspect stands out as a remarkable feature within the art, showcasing the diversity and symbolism embedded in the sculptures. Each hand gesture, such as Abhayamudra representing fearlessness and Dhyanamudra representing meditation, adds depth and meaning to the depiction of Buddha in Gandhara Art.

Special Features Gandhara School of Sculpture

The Gandhara region, a historic crossroads of cultural influences, significantly shaped the Gandhara School of Art. Drawing inspiration from Greek methodologies, the school sculpted figures with a predominant religious theme, focusing extensively on precise depictions of body parts. The Gandharan Buddha image, influenced by Hellenistic realism and tempered by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models, reflects a synthesis of diverse cultural elements.

Some of the eminent features of the Gandhara School of Sculpture style are the following:

1. Stone, terracotta, and clay were the primary materials used in crafting the specimens.
2. Although the technique employed in sculpting the statues was Greek, the concept, inspiration, and character were distinctly Indian.
3. This school of art pioneered the carving of life-size statues of Gautama Buddha, departing from earlier representations that relied on symbols such as lotus and umbrellas to depict Buddhist existence.
4. Precision was paramount in carving the statues, with meticulous attention given to the symmetry of the body, including natural depictions of muscles and moustaches.
5. Careful and skillful attention was dedicated to showcasing the folds and turns of the clothing on the statues.
6. Ornamental details carved onto the statues received considerable attention, enhancing the overall physical beauty of the sculptures.
7. An integral aspect of this art form was the thorough polishing of the statues.

Themes on Gandhara School of Sculpture

The Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture predominantly focuses on Buddhist themes, portraying various stories from the life of Buddha. Sculptors skillfully crafted Buddhist images with anatomical accuracy, spatial depth, and foreshortening. Notably, the Buddha depicted in Gandhara art is portrayed as very thin, a departure from the depiction in Mathura art, resembling the Greek God Apollo.

Emphasizing bodily features and external beauty, the Gandhara School placed significant importance on these aspects. The diverse characters of the Mathura School, directly rooted in the ancient Indian art of Bharut and Sanchi, drew classical influences from Gandhara. This influence extended to the Amaravati Art as well.

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