The Kushan period depicted Buddha with sharp facial features and Greek influence, while the Gupta period portrayed a softer, more idealized form with serene expressions, smooth contours and symbolic hand gestures representing Buddhist teachings.
Class 6 Arts Kriti-I Chapter 3 Portraying People NCERT solutions
Class 6 Visual Arts Kriti-I Portraying People question answer
In the Kushan period (Gandhara style), Buddha was depicted with strong Greek influence, having wavy hair, detailed robes and sharp facial features. In contrast, the Gupta period introduced a softer and more idealized Buddha with a peaceful expression, rounded contours and symbolic hand gestures (mudras). The Mathura style (Kushan) emphasized bold carvings, while the Sarnath style (Gupta) focused on delicate details and spiritual elegance in representation.