An Insight into Gandharan Art: Materials and Techniques of Polychrome Decoration

Anna Lluveras-Tenorio,Ilaria Bonaduce,Maria Perla Colombini,Fabio Talarico,Alessia Andreotti,Luca M Olivieri,Simona Pannuzi,Stefano Legnaioli

doi:10.3390/heritage5010028

Abstract

Gandharan art developed in the Himalayan area in the early centuries CE. It has been investigated mostly from an iconographic point of view, missing, until very recently, a systematic technical investigation of materials and techniques. Recently our team began performing chemical analyses of the traces of the polychromy originally covering statues, reliefs and architectural decorations, to discover the ancient painting techniques and artistic technologies. This paper presents the results of the analytical investigation (optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) of pigments, ground layers and binders of a new group of samples taken from stucco architectural decorations (2nd–3rd/4th centuries CE). The samples were collected directly at an archaeological site in the Swat Valley, ensuring the exact knowledge of their stratigraphic provenance, as well as the absence of any restoration treatment applied prior sampling. The results are discussed in the wider context of Gandharan polychromy investigated so far by our team, as found in sculptures and architectural decorations preserved in museums (in Italy and France) and in archaeological excavations in Pakistan. The aim of this research is to shed light on the materials and techniques of this Buddhist ancient art from this region and on the influences exerted on it from Eastern and Western artistic traditions.

Highlights

Gandharan sculpture has been studied primarily from an iconographic point of view. Research shows that this Buddhist ancient art, which developed in the Himalayan area in the early centuries CE, was influenced by Greco-Roman, Iranian, Indian and Central Asian artistic cultures
We present new data on the use of pigments and binders on Gandharan stucco architectural decorations of religious buildings in the Swat Valley
The research described aims to shed light on the materials and techniques used by the Gandharan painters of the 2nd to 7th century CE, and to understand the influences exerted on them by Eastern and Western artistic traditions

Summary

Introduction

Gandharan sculpture has been studied primarily from an iconographic point of view (see for example [1–8]). Research shows that this Buddhist ancient art, which developed in the Himalayan area (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan) in the early centuries CE, was influenced by Greco-Roman, Iranian, Indian and Central Asian artistic cultures (see for example [1,9–11]). These sculptures were very different in appearance compared to what is observable today. Just a few traces of polychromy can be found on Gandharan statues, reliefs and buildings. Following excavation, the early identification of polychrome and gilded traces is absolutely necessary to ensure the correct approach towards interventional conservation is followed, to avoid

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