21 November 2008 – 15 March 2009

Gandhara – The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan Legends, Monasteries, and Paradise

The Buddhist Art of Gandhara seems strangely familiar at first glance, its western connection being obvious. Gandhara refers to a region in present day Pakistan which was originally linked to the West by the expansive conquests of Alexander the Great (330 B.C.) and his local successors, a connection that resulted in the trade between the Roman Empire as well as East and South Asia along the Silk Road. Buddhism, too, expanded along the silk route.
Approximately 270 objects, artfully produced full and relief sculptures, precious coins and elaborate jewellery lead through the florescence of Gandharan art from the first to the fifth century A.D. The presentation illuminates diverse aspects of the artistic production Gandhara's under Kushana rule and explores the rich artistic heritage of the region, a melting pot of diverse cultures. The exhibition, shown in Germany for the first time, centres on the life of the Buddha. The Buddha, who is depicted for the first time under Kushana rule, wears a garment with folds reminiscent of the roman toga. Greek topics are depicted as well and the coins feature Greek inscriptions. The exhibition thus demonstrates the wider context of Gandharan art form the establishment of Greek culture in the region to its latest heritage in Central Asia and present day Afghanistan, the latter of which attaining worldwide attention, when the gigantic rock cut Buddha sculptures of Bamiyan were blasted by the Taliban in March 2001.

Address

Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4
53113 Bonn
phone +49 228 917 12 00
http://www.bundeskunsthalle.de

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed on Monday.

Description of the Museum

In 1992 the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany was founded as an institution for changing exhibitions and has since then offered a varied programme of international significance in the areas of art, cultural history, science and technology.

opened in 1992; Architekt: Gustav Peichl

Within 10 days
starting exhibitions
ending exhibitions