Gandhara School of Sculpture

• • The sculptures tradition of Gandhara was influenced by traditions of Bactria, Parthia and local region
  • It flourished largely during the Kushan dynasty in the North-West frontier of the country
  • They used Grey/bluish grey sandstone
  • Buddhism was the main inspiration behind many of the sculptures

Features of the Gandhara sculptures:

1. 1. Spiritual Buddha– there is a sense of calmness in the depiction of Buddha
   2. Less ornaments on Buddha
   3. Buddha has been depicted with wavy hair
   4. Large forehead and eyes appear to be closed
   5. The seated Buddha is always shown cross-legged in the traditional Indian way
   6. The Buddha and Bodhisattva figures resemble the Greek God Apollo with broad shoulders, a halo around the head
   7. The physical features such as muscles, nails, hair have been done with great detail.