Two First Faces

When the Buddha finally took human shape, two regions did it differently. In Gandhara (modern Pakistan), Greek sculptural traditions produced realistic, toga-like robes and wavy hair — a Buddha who looks almost like a Mediterranean god. In Mathura (northern India), local sculptors used indigenous conventions: a rounder, fuller figure with thinner, clinging garments.

One teacher, two visual languages — and both spread outward to shape every Buddha image that followed.