Bust of a bodhisattva

Gandharan Buddhist art was made in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India between the 2nd and 4th centuries. It was strongly influenced by Greco-Roman art, partly through the influence of Alexander the Great’s followers in this area and partly through later trade contacts with the Roman Empire. Thus the bodies of Buddhist holy figures have a Mediterranean plasticity and tactile modeling. Even their clothes are similar to Greek and Roman costumes, but their sculptural effect is one of inwardness and otherworldliness, in keeping with Buddhist doctrine.

Bodhisattvas are beings who renounced the attainment of pure enlightenment to help struggling mankind. Their princely status in the mundane world is expressed by their jewels and rich garb. Of particular interest is this figure’s arm ornament, which has a classical Atlas figure. Such cross-cultural contacts between the Mediterranean and India occurred throughout antiquity.