The Gandhara style and the evolution of Buddhist art

Description

"...Exhaustive study of Gandhāran (or Graeco-Buddhist) art is especially valuable since literature on this crucial field of art history is so scanty and difficulty of access. She begins with a geographical and historical survey of the huge region concerned, covering relations between Persia and India in the pre-Christian era; Alexander's conquest and the Hellenization of Central Asia; the migration and invasion of nomads from the north; and--of over-riding importance--the development of Buddhism.. In the full account of Gandhāran art which occupies the main part of the book she examines the different schools of sculpture individually. Finally, she discusses the nature and the extraordinaryextent of the influence exerted by the Gandhāran style on Buddhist art and Oriental art generally...the plates cover the weide range of achievement of the Gandhāran artists, not only in sculpture, but in wallpainting, painted vessels, goldwork, jewellery, ivories and coins"--Dust jacket.