Question

Which of the following statements best describes the distinctive features of the Gandhara School of Art?

• A. It used white marble and depicted deities in richly ornamented styles, influenced by South Indian traditions.
• B. It portrayed the Buddha with a robust body and short hair, focusing on dynamic movement and emotional expressions.
• C. It depicted the Buddha in a spiritual and ascetic form, with Greco-Roman influences, wavy hair, and bluish-grey sandstone as a primary medium.
• D. It focused solely on Hindu themes and avoided any external artistic influences.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. It depicted the Buddha in a spiritual and ascetic form, with Greco-Roman influences, wavy hair, and bluish-grey sandstone as a primary medium.

Gandhara School Situated in the Northwest Frontier of India, encompassing regions in Pakistan (near Peshawar) and Afghanistan. Major centers included Jalalabad (Afghanistan), Hadda, Bagram (Afghanistan), and Taxila (Pakistan). Flourished under the Kushana rulers, particularly Kanishka, and was later supported by the Sakas. Primarily associated with Buddhism, especially the Mahayana tradition. Strongly influenced by Greek art, leading to its identification as the Greco-Indian School of Art or Hellenistic Sculpture. Sculptures were primarily made from bluish-grey sandstone and stucco. Features of Gandhara Sculpture The Buddha is depicted in a spiritual state, with half-closed eyes and elongated ears, often seated in a yogic posture. Great attention to physical details, including wavy hair. Some depictions feature Buddha with a beard or mustache. The Buddha is portrayed with a lean body, emphasizing his ascetic nature. Both seated and standing figures are commonly found.