Portrait of a Philosopher
1st Century BCE.
Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BCE. With him came the Greek or the Hellinic culture. The Greeks settled mainly in Afghanistan, and Pakistan. But their kingdoms existed well into India till Madhya Pradesh. They have left a treasure trove of art and science in India. Gandhar School of Art to Yunani Medicine. The Yavan period and the Kushan period of our history is a period of exchange of ideas, of growth, of assimilation.
This is a typical face of a Greek philosopher: mid-aged, bearded, looking at the world, studying the world. Unlike an Indian Sadhu or a God, the Greek philosopher does not look inward, but outward. His is the empherical mind which seeks data, analysis and conclusion. He imbibes the scientific temper.
The Greek artist believes in realism; in depicting the figure, the way he/ she is. The emphasis is on the muscles of the body, the liveliness of the figure, the here and now. The present is the moment to be lived, to be enjoyed.
This is a typical face of a Greek philosopher: mid-aged, bearded, looking at the world, studying the world. Unlike an Indian Sadhu or a God, the Greek philosopher does not look inward, but outward. His is the empherical mind which seeks data, analysis and conclusion. He imbibes the scientific temper.
The Greek artist believes in realism; in depicting the figure, the way he/ she is. The emphasis is on the muscles of the body, the liveliness of the figure, the here and now. The present is the moment to be lived, to be enjoyed.
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