The Buddhist Art of Gandhara: The Story of the Early School, its Birth, Growth and Decline c15.35

c15.35

There remain only a few examples of detached images to be considered. The first of these (fig. 108) is a *yaksha* Atlant of the Herakles type, one of a number of such Atlants said to have come from Jamāl-Garhī and now in the Calcutta Museum. It is made of the grey micaceous schist much in use at this period, and in spite of its diminutive size (it is less than 8 in. high), it is a skilful and vigorous bit of modelling. Like figs. 52 and 145, it takes its lineage from Greek prototypes, but the differences between the three are very striking. The earliest (fig. 52), a Silenus-like winged figure, is the embodiment of strength in repose, in this respect contrasting with the Indian *yakshas* of fig. 12, which display not only giant strength but dynamic energy as well in their effort to uphold the superincumbent mass. In fig. 52, the *yaksha* is making no effort at all to bring his great muscles into play; he is merely squatting pleasantly at his ease. The same is true of the Herakles-like *yaksha* of fig. 108, but in this instance the artist has been at pains to give clearer definition to the facial features and muscular development of the limbs, and in other respects to keep as near as possible to his Hellenistic prototype; and his little figurine certainly does him credit. That such a purely classical type should have persisted on into the Maturity Period may, at first sight, seem surprising, but to the end Gandhāra art remained very partial to the use of Greek types and motifs. Thus, among the many members of the Greek pantheon represented among the sculptures of this period may be mentioned Zeus, Athene, Hermes, Dionysus and Eros, to say nothing of the countless little Erotes or Amorini used for decorative purposes. But when we come to the later part of the Maturity Period, we shall see, in fig. 145, a striking example of how such types could be affected by the growing tendency towards prettiness and effeminacy.