Head of a Bearded Male Figure, ca. 3rd century, Gandhara (The MET)
Situated between India, Persia, and the Greco-Roman world, the region of greater Gandhara (stretching through parts of modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan) has produced artwork that blends influences and ideas from many cultures. Treasure hoards with bounty that includes glass from Rome, Central Asian jewelry, and South Asian ivory are a testament to the region’s central role in the long-distance exchange of goods. Images of the Buddha reflecting Greek sculptural styles testify to its equally important role in the exchange of cultural ideas.
Although the kingdoms of greater Gandhara reached their artistic peak in the first through fifth centuries, its legacy extends to the present. The era remains one of the most important periods in world art, and Gandharan artwork produced in these early centuries has drawn intense interest from collectors and museums.
Robert DeCaroli, a professor of art history at George Mason University, examines the origins of the region’s material culture, explores the ways imperial and religious power were displayed, and traces the role of trade in the exchange of ideas.
FEB 9: Early Empires
The early cultural history of Gandhara is linked to Persia, but with the arrival of Alexander the Great set the stage for the showdown between the Seleucus Nicator, Alexander’s regional successor, and the brilliant Indian general Chandragupta Maurya. These conflicts led to a long period of cultural exchange and the regional rise of Buddhism.
FEB 16: The Rise of the Kushan Empire
The expansive and long-lasting empire ruled by the Parthian dynasty had a profound impact on the region and its art, and served as a prelude to the arrival of the powerful Kushan kings. Examine its greatest rulers, how they had themselves represented on coins and in sculptural portraits, and their royal patronage of religious art, Buddhist reliquaries, and “houses for the gods.”
MAR 2: Buddhism in Gandhara
Architectural remains attest to Gandhara’s role as a center of Buddhist practice, and its monastic sites served as the setting for the creation of some of the earliest images of the Buddha. The region’s artists also pioneered some of the first Buddhist narrative art, creating an artistic tradition that reached across Asia.
MAR 9: Beyond the Boundaries of Gandhara
Gandhara was a hub for extensive trade and cultural contact with many regions and peoples, and records of Chinese pilgrims of the fourth through seventh centuries offer accounts of its vibrancy. Its cosmopolitan nature is also revealed by the rich caches of luxury goods left behind in palaces and graves. The day concludes with a look beyond Gandhara proper and an exploration of sites inlcuding Bamiyan, Hadda, and Mes Aynak in Afghanistan.
4 sessions
World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit
Other Connections
Take a look at some examples of sculpture and coins from Ghandhara that reflect the confluence of Buddhist and Hellenistic aesthetic influences.
