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Western Influences in Gandharan Art

Explore the fascinating fusion of Greco-Roman and Indian influences in Gandharan art, flourishing during the Kushan Dynasty. Uncover the chronological challenges in dating these artifacts and discover how Western motifs transformed into Buddhist narratives in pieces like the Trojan Horse and Herakles.

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Western Influences in Gandharan Art

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  1. Western Influences in Gandharan Art Alice, Holly & Megan

  2. Gandharan Art • 1st century BCE – 7th Century CE • Many influences, most interestingly Greco-Roman • Flourished during Kushan Dynasty (formed by migrating Yuezhi, c. 1st Century BCE) • Contemporary (though dissimilar) to the Kushan style of art coming from Mathura

  3. Greeks/Greco-Bactrians in India (map c. 130 BCE) • Migration of Yuezhi from Central Asia into Bactria forces the Greco-Bactrians to settle in Northern India. • Greeks settled in this area since c. 190 BCE in Indo-Greek ‘possessions’, hybrid states politically separate from Bactria. • Northern India conquered by Alexander the Great 330 BCE

  4. Chronological and Dating Issues • Few confirmed fixed dates in Gandharan history • Few artefacts survive with dates inscribed • Dating artefacts can be extremely difficult • Fit works within developed artistic style in order to date

  5. Examples of Western Influences on Gandharan Art Works

  6. Trojan Horse2nd/3rd Century CE Possible Buddhist context  • up stairs of a stupa or monastery? (or well: arguments for both) • Jakarta Tale: stories of Buddha’s past life • counter factual version of the myth  • intervention works? • Laocoon actually Bodhisattva? • the narrative converted for Buddhist purposes? Likely origin • Hund: significant place in antiquity  • entry point for Alexander the Great into India Hellenistic  • Homeric Myth  • Cassandra (barring gate) • Laocoon? (w/ spear) • Priam (bearded) • Sinon (pushing horse) • Clothing (tunics, Drapery) • Stylistically (physicality of figures and realistic proportions) • poses  Indian • Cassandra (drapery around waist, Anklets and necklace between breasts) • Cassandra’s Hairstyle 

  7. Herakles • ‘Modified Heracles’ of Gandharan art • Herakles used in Gandhara to represent Vajrapani, protector and guide of Buddha • The first/ earliest example of Heracles, found in a private collection in Japan • Greek pose, club and lion skin part of Greek cannon • However, lacks the muscular physique, expression deviates from Classical Greek style • Presented in small niche, with this location being typical of Gandharan depictions of Heracles

  8. Buddha • C. 2nd Century CE • Drew inspiration from classical Roman religious iconography • Shows connections to western world other than Greek settlers (trade) • From c. 2nd/3rd Century CE Buddhist missionaries travelling from Gandhara • Youthful face in style of Apollo • Standing iconography more popular in Gandhara, sitting in Mathura

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