Nike-Apsara Imagery in First and Second-Century Gandharan Art and the Theoretical Framework of the Roman Image-Language

Scholarship has examined the Greco-Roman deities used as prototypes for Buddhist figures in Gandhara, such as Apollo-Buddha, Tyche-Hariti, and Atlas. Minimal research has explored the surmised correlation between Nike and Apsaras. Therefore, this thesis investigates the thematic roles, iconography, and historical relationships between the two, including Roman interpretations of Nike, to expand on prior Greek and Hellenistic-centric discussions. I argue that when we look at evidence of the Apsara, such as that depicted on the first or second-century Gandharan relief in the Art Institute of Chicago, in comparison to Nike representations from the Imperial Roman period, similarities can be identified that support the notion of a correlation between the two existing in Central Asia. Further supporting this claim, I utilize the theoretical framework proposed by Stoye, which builds on Hölscher’s Roman-Image Language, to recontextualize the Apsara imagery on the Gandharan relief and explore why the Kushans viewed the figures as interchangeable or capable of being synthesized.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of the History of Art and Architecture

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Oregon

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Milliken, Ashley

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Gasparini, Mariachiara

• Apsara
• Gandhara
• Kushans
• Nike
• Nike-Apsara

Statement dc:rights

• All Rights Reserved.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1794/29194

OAI record oai:identifier

https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Ascholarsbank.uoregon.edu%3A1794%2F29194