GANDHRAN SCHIST PANEL WITH WINGED ATLAS

Ca. 200-300 AD
A schist panel featuring winged Atlas, an embodiment of strength and power, brought to life through the skills of the Gandharan artists. He is depicted as a muscular figure, sitting at ease with his hands rested on his legs and with the wings to his back. The wings are a symbol of divine power, add an ethereal touch to the panel and remind us of the spiritual and mythical underpinnings of this work of art. Atlas is a fascinating figure that has its roots in the classical Greek tradition, where he was condemned to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. In the Gandharan artistic tradition, the figure symbolizes the interplay of various cultural and artistic influences that were present in the region. The fusion of classical Greek, Roman, and Buddhist artistic traditions created a unique style that is characterized by a blend of naturalistic and idealized forms, evocative of the spiritual and mythic realms. The Gandharan region was a melting pot of various cultural and artistic traditions. It was a center of Buddhism and a hub of artistic and cultural creativity. The Gandharan artists were renowned for their skillful rendering of the human form, their mastery of different materials, and their ability to fuse various artistic traditions into a coherent and harmonious style. Cf. The British Museum, Museum number 1880.178.
Size: L:135mm / W:140mm ; 1.82kg
Provenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s in France; previously in 1970s European collection.
Estimate: GBP 750 - 1500