Although earlier Buddhist art depicted the Buddha indirectly through symbols or footprints marking his presence, Gandharan artists preferred to portray the Buddha as a human figure.

Take a close look at the Head of Buddha.

• What details do you notice?
• What types of textures do you see?
• What shapes or patterns do you notice?
• What types of lines can you find? How would you describe them?
• How would you describe the Buddha's expression?
• What do these physical characteristics convey about the Buddha? What qualities might worshippers emulate?

Details of the Buddha's appearance help to tell his story and set him apart from ordinary people. Can you find these attributes in the sculpture?

• His elongated earlobes point to the weighty earrings he would have worn during his early life as a prince. He renounced his wealth and royal stature to pursue enlightenment.
• His face was said to be composed of convex (outward curving) forms.
• His eyebrows showed benevolence and compassion.
• His skin was so delicate that no dust could adhere to it.
• The urna, a mark between his eyebrows, represents wisdom and augmented vision.
• The usn?sa, the raised area on top of his head, signifies his infinite intelligence.