Galerie Golconda

Head of a small statue in grey schist, typical of the valleys that run along the rivers of Afghanistan and Pakistan. This face of a mature man bears Indo-European features. The hair is composed of delicate and orderly curled bangs as well as an imposing beard, quite typical of intellectuals. Excellent state of preservation. Signs of patina from excavation and erosion. Small gaps and imperfections. The art of Gandhãra was born on Indian soil and served the religious teachings of Buddhism. It appropriated iconographic elements from the religious repertory of Buddha and skilfully combined them with the sculptural techniques imported from Europe by the Greek soldiers of Macedonia and then Bactria, who made up the armies of Alexander the Great. It was during this period that the first human images of Buddha appeared, in accordance with the Greek belief that considered and depicted the gods as men. This art testifies to the theological evolutions that required new images of devotion serving as spiritual support.