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Mathura: Head of a Buddha
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Mathura: Head of a Buddha
INDIA, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura; circa 430–435; Pink sandstone; H: 50 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
This head was unearthed from Mathura. A golden age of the Mathura style of sculpture, from which this head dates, was during the Gupta period (circa 320–550). The perfect swirl of each individual curl is visible on the statue’s head. An extra line is added underneath the eyes to increase their expressiveness. Despite the damage to the nose and mouth, it is obvious that these features too were created with precision. Compared with sculptures from the Kushan period (circa 1st–3rd century), which had almond-shaped eyes, arched eyebrows, a thicker mouth with a more obvious smile, this example has slightly different features with a broader face. |
