干达拉佛像，白沙瓦博物馆 - 石版画 - Ikuo Hirayama 平山郁夫（1930–2009) - 日本 - Heisei period (1989-present)

Ikuo Hirayama 平山郁夫 (1930–2009)
Gandhara Buddha, Peshawar Museum – Lithograph (No. 58/262)

Few Japanese artists devoted their lives as passionately to the Silk Road as Ikuo Hirayama, one of the most celebrated Nihonga painters of the 20th century. After surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Hirayama dedicated his career to exploring the origins and journey of Buddhism across Asia. His travels through Central Asia, India, China, and the ancient Gandhara region profoundly shaped his art, making him an international ambassador of cultural heritage.

This lithograph portrays a Gandharan Buddha preserved in the Peshawar Museum in present-day Pakistan, home to one of the world's most important collections of Gandharan Buddhist sculpture. Gandhara flourished between the 1st and 5th centuries along the Silk Road, where Greek, Roman, Persian, and Indian cultures met to create one of history's most fascinating artistic traditions. The serene face of the Buddha, the naturalistic drapery, and the harmonious composition beautifully reflect this extraordinary fusion of East and West.

Rather than depicting the sculpture as a museum object, Hirayama breathes new life into it. Rendered in delicate jade-green tones, the ancient stone appears almost luminous, inviting the viewer to imagine the devotion of those who carved and worshipped it nearly two thousand years ago. The work becomes more than an illustration—it is a meditation on the enduring journey of Buddhism and the cultural exchanges that shaped civilizations across Asia.

Hirayama believed that ancient artifacts were silent witnesses to history. Throughout his career, he carefully sketched Buddhist sculptures encountered during his Silk Road expeditions, convinced that understanding their form and spirit deepened his own artistic vision. This lifelong fascination ultimately led to the establishment of the Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum, preserving both his paintings and his remarkable collection of Silk Road antiquities.

More than a depiction of an ancient sculpture, "Gandhara Buddha, Peshawar Museum" celebrates the meeting of civilizations. It reminds us that art, faith, and culture know no borders—a timeless message that continues to resonate with collectors around the world.

◆About Ikuo Hirayama (1930–2009)◆

One of Japan's most celebrated Nihonga (Japanese-style) painters
Born in Hiroshima in 1930, Ikuo Hirayama became one of the leading figures of postwar Japanese art. He graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts), where he later served as Professor and President.
Survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing
At the age of 15, Hirayama experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. This life-changing event profoundly influenced his artistic philosophy, inspiring a lifelong pursuit of peace, spirituality, and cultural dialogue through art.
Master of the Silk Road
Beginning in the 1960s, Hirayama traveled the Silk Road more than 160 times, visiting China, Central Asia, India, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. His works documenting Buddhist sites and ancient civilizations established him as the world's foremost artistic interpreter of the Silk Road.
Champion of cultural heritage preservation
Beyond painting, Hirayama devoted himself to protecting endangered cultural treasures. He led and supported restoration projects at sites such as Dunhuang, Angkor Wat, Bamiyan, and other World Heritage monuments, promoting what he called the "Cultural Heritage Red Cross" movement.


[Size]
Overall size
68.5×55cm

[Condition]
This piece is in good vintage condition.
Please review the photos before bidding.

※This woodblock print comes framed.

Any taxes related to international shipping must be borne by the purchaser.

Occasionally, customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for customs clearance via phone or email. Kindly ensure you are available to respond. Failure to do so may result in the parcel being returned to me, incurring additional shipping fees for reshipment.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.


I will pack the item securely, but there may be cases where the item is repackaged at customs or damaged upon arrival due to a mistake by the shipping company.
If this happens, please contact me immediately.
Please promptly send me a photo of the item when it arrives and a photo of the damage to the item.
We will provide refunds depending on the situation.