Relief with the Great Departure
Medium:Carved grey schist
Geography: Gandhara, Pakistan
Date: 2nd - 3rd century AD
Period: Kushan Period
Dimensions:20.5 x 26.3 x 8.2 cm
Object number: 985.72.3
Gallery Location:Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery
DescriptionThis is one of a set of panels depicting life of the Buddha which originally decorated the base of a small stupa or column. Here during a night of opulent luxury in his princely home, the youthful Gautama decides to renounce such a meaningless existence. Leaving the palace, super-natural beings assist him by opening locked gates and muffling the din of his horse’s hooves. Other deities, Mara the god of temptation and Kapilavastu the goddess of the city, stand in his way – to no avail. Drama in Gandharan reliefs results from their compact vignette style with the principal character of Gautama presented in human form. Earlier central Indian relief style represents the Buddha by using symbols.
