Chapter 15: Gandhara Art in Comparative Perspective

The uniqueness of Gandhara art becomes most evident when seen in comparison with:

1. Indian indigenous art — e.g., Magadha and Mathura traditions
2. Greco-Roman art — the classical heritage of the Mediterranean

Comparison with Indian Indigenous Art

• Themes: Early Indian Buddhist art often used symbols (dharma wheel, Bodhi tree) instead of Buddha images. Gandhara pioneered anthropomorphic representations.
• Style: Mathura Buddhas are robust and dynamic, expressing “vital energy.” Gandhara Buddhas are serene and realistic, evoking “transcendence.”
• Material: Mathura favored red sandstone, while Gandhara used schist and limestone.

Comparison with Greco-Roman Art

• Body Representation: Greek statues pursued anatomical precision. Gandhara absorbed this, yet rendered the Buddha with calm spirituality.
• Drapery: Gandhara robes resemble the Roman toga, with flowing folds, unlike the simplified shoulder-cover of Indian styles.
• Expression: Greek gods often embody rational authority; Gandhara Buddhas bear a compassionate smile.

The Beauty of Synthesis

• Gandhara art was not mere imitation but fusion and re-creation.
• It preserved Indian religious depth while adopting Greek realism, creating a model that spread across Asia.

Comparative perspective highlights Gandhara’s hybrid yet innovative nature.