Path 16 of 17 · 14 works
The Art of Portraiture at Haḍḍa
Alongside the idealized faces of the Buddha, the modellers of Haḍḍa also shaped figures with strongly individualized features: furrowed brows, tormented expressions, smiles sketched from life. This trail brings together fourteen sculptures whose descriptions speak of portraiture, realism, individualization or caricature: young and elderly monks, donors, warriors and demons. From near-caricature to the handsome face of the Genius with Flowers, which recalls certain portraits of Alexander the Great, it reveals the other side of the art of Haḍḍa.
Locate these works on the excavation plan(6/14)
1 / 14
Head of Monk Bhikṣu
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
Head of an elderly monk with deep wrinkles: a strikingly realistic portrait, worked with the modelling tool.
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2 / 14
Head of Monk Bhikṣu
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
The laughing face of this young monk seems a portrait sketched from life.
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3 / 14
Head of Monk Bhikṣu
Deh-i Ghoundi · Stucco
A young monk smiling broadly and leaning forward: the realism of the work is striking.
4 / 14
Head of Monk Bhikṣu
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
Despite its damaged state, this portrait of a mature monk with a stern expression is strikingly realistic.
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5 / 14
Scene from the Buddha's life
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
In this relief, the Buddha's idealized face stands beside that of a monk with more individualized, wrinkled and grave features.
6 / 14
Scene from the Buddha's life
Tapa Kalān · Siliceous Limestone
Around the main figure, the monks in this relief display individualized features.
7 / 14
The Great Renunciation
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
The squire Chandaka shows strongly individualized features, with an emaciated face and a tormented expression.
8 / 14
Head of an elderly donor
Tapa Kalān · Lime-based Stucco
The face of this elderly donor of local type is realistically rendered, with a worried expression.
9 / 14
Bust of Pançika
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
This figure's Central Asian face shows individualized features: furrowed brow, frowning eyebrows, square jaw.
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10 / 14
Head of Warrior
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
The marked features of this moustachioed, mature warrior give the work the character of a portrait.
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11 / 14
Head of god Indra or a donor
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
The face is idealized, yet the original hairstyle and chin-strap beard lend it a certain individuality.
12 / 14
Head of a young Donor
Bāgh Gaï · Stucco
The accentuated, almost caricatural features of this young donor stretch into a broad smile.
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13 / 14
Bust of Demon
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
This demon with coarse features has a face more caricatured than monstrous.
14 / 14
Bust of Genius with Flowers
Tapa Kalān · Stucco
The handsome, Hellenizing face of the Genius with Flowers recalls certain portraits of Alexander the Great.