Head of Vaitunkta Vishnu

Art Historical Context

Behold the serene *Head of Vaikun Vishnu*, a masterful 6th-century stone sculpture Northern Pakistan, crafted by an unknown artist in the Brahmanical post-Gupta tradition Carved from soft chlorite—a material prized for its workability—this compact piece (just over 6 inches tall) captures the divine visage of Vishnu, the Hindu preserver god, in a form known as Vaikuntha, often depicted with multiple heads symbolizing his cosmic aspects. Emerging from the Gandhara region, famed for blending Greco-Roman realism with Indian spirituality, this artwork reflects a pivotal shift from dominant Buddhis...