SERINDIAN ART ~ GREEK INFLUENCE IN CHINA

The art of the Tarim Basin- also called Serindian art.

Serindian art is the art that developed from the 2nd through the 11th century C.E. in Serindia or Xinjiang, the western region of China that forms part of Central Asia.

It derives from the Greco-Buddhist art of the Gandhara district of what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan. Gandharan sculpture combined Indian traditions with Greek influences. Greek-influenced culture was most probably in existence prior to Alexander the Great's invasions, Afghanistan natives retained this influence which was lost in Greece.

The arts of China, Korea and Japan adopted Greco-Buddhist artistic influences, but tended to add many local elements as well.The characteristics that remain most readily identifiable from Greco-Buddhist art are the following:
The general idealistic realism of the figures, reminiscent of Greek art.
Clothing elements with elaborate Greek-style folds.
The curly hairstyle, characteristic of the Mediterranean.
The hovering winged figures holding a wreath, which appear in some Buddhist representations.
Greek sculptural elements such as vines and floral scrolls.

Greco-Buddhist artistic elements can be traced in Chinese Buddhist art, with several local and temporal variations depending on the character of the various dynasties that adopted the Buddhist faith. Some of the earliest known Buddhist artifacts found in China are small statues on "money trees", dated circa 200 CE, in typical Gandharan style (drawing): "That the imported images accompanying the newly arrived doctrine came from Gandhara is strongly suggested by such early Gandhara characteristics on this "money tree" Buddha as the high ushnisha, vertical arrangement of the hair, moustache, symmetrically looped robe and parallel incisions for the folds of the arms." ( "Crossroads of Asia" p.209 )

Some Northern Wei statues can be quite reminiscent of Gandharan standing Buddha, although in a slightly more symbolic style. The general attitude and rendering of the dress, however, remain. Others, like the Northern Qi Dynasty statues, also maintain the general Greco-Buddhist style, but with less realism and stronger symbolic elements.

Moreover, some Eastern Wei statues display Buddhas with elaborate Greek-style robe foldings, and surmounted by flying figures holding a wreath.