Untitled

Unknown

5th–6th century · Stucco with traces of paint · Asian Art

The well-preserved surface and traces of paint provide an idea of what this head looked like when it was being used in worship. The abstracted treatment of the eyes and the intersecting plains defining forehead, eyebrows, and nose are stylistic features shared with imagery produced in north India during the Gupta period. The fact that this north Indian way of presenting the Buddha had penetrated into Afghanistan suggests a shared Buddhist tradition.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th–6th century

Medium

Stucco with traces of paint

Culture

Afghanistan (probably Hadda)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1930