Standing BodhisattvaPakistan, ancient region of GandharaKushan period (c. 50 B.C.–A.D. 320)2nd

Standing BodhisattvaPakistan, ancient region of GandharaKushan period (c. 50 B.C.–A.D. 320)2nd–3rd century A.D.Gray schistWith its masterly craftsmanship, harmonious proportions, and exceptional size, this majestic image of a standing bodhisattva is distinguished by the rich dress and jewelry of a Kushana prince or nobleman from the ancient region of Gandhara, in northeastern Pakistan, in the first or second century A.D. The princely bearing of the figure is further emphasized by the powerful, fleshy torso, the rounded breasts and abdomen, and the long, flowing hair. The strong, round chin, straight nose, and smooth oval face adorned by an elegantly twirling mustache suggest the mixture of races and cosmopolitan nature of first millennium Gandharan art and culture. Gandharan sculptures were heavily influenced by the artistic traditions of the Hellenistic world, which were transplanted in the wake of Alexander the Great’s conquest of Bactria (western Afghanistan). This sculpture is strongly Hellenizing in profile, but dressed as an Indian ruler, wearing the dhoti, bare-chested, with a sash casually slung over the shoulder and draped in an elegant curve over the forearm. The juxtaposition of distinctly Western classical features, such as the realistic and rigid rendering of the drapery, with the stylized indigenous treatment of the face and body typifies Gandharan Buddhist sculpture.Photo by Shelby NavoneEdited in VSCO CamObject and Description from The Kimbell Art Museum -- source link

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