The violent events of the past year have drawn the world’s attention to Afghanistan, a little-known land with a troubled history. The Musee Guimet in Paris is highlighting another aspect of this ancient culture in its current exhibit, "Afghanistan, a Timeless History." As its rich and diverse artistic heritage indicates, Afghanistan’s history stretches back several millennia. The country’s importance derives from its strategic location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. Halfway between China and Europe, Russia and India, Afghanistan was influenced by many cultures and civilizations.
In antiquity Afghanistan was a part of the Persian Empire. Hellenic influences arrived in 330 BC, when the country was conquered by Alexander the Great. The present-day Afghan city of Kandahar was originally one of the 17 towns called "Alexandria" that Alexander founded along his route. For several decades, Afghanistan was part of an empire that stretched from Greece to the Indus Valley but soon after Alexander’s death, his empire was divided and Afghanistan became a part of the Bactrian kingdom.
Buddhism, spreading north from India, began to take root in Afghanistan about 100 AD. The town of Bamiyan became a religious center and drew Buddhist tourists from China and India. In the mountain caves around Bamiyan, monasteries developed, and over the following centuries the sanctuaries were decorated with paintings and stuccos that can still be seen today. Two colossal statues of the Buddha, for which Bamiyan was renowned, were destroyed by the Taleban in March 2001.
In 651, the northwestern Afghan city of Herat was conquered by the Arabs, marking the beginning of the spread of Islam and its culture throughout Central Asia. During the eighth century, from their capital in Damascus, the Ommayyads ruled lands from Afghanistan across Arabia and the Middle East to North Africa and Spain. Excellent builders, the Ommayyads endowed many of their cities with splendid architecture. They were succeeded by the Abbassids, who ruled from Baghdad, a brilliant center of medieval civilization. The 12th century brought Mongol invaders led by Genghis Khan. His possessions included northern China and Russia, thus Afghanistan was given some new cultural influences. Tamerlane, a Turkish conqueror from Samarkand, overthrew the Mongols and by 1400 had established his capital at Herat. From Afghanistan, Tamerlane and his successors led their conquest of northern India. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Afghanistan shared in the extraordinary artistic tradition of the Mugals, a culture that produced masterpieces ranging from exquisitely painted miniatures to the incomparable Taj Mahal.
Persian, Greek, Buddhist, Arab, Central Asian and Indian cultural influences are all present in the works on display at the Musee Guimet. The "Afghanistan" exhibit is intended as a tribute to the Kabul Museum, severely damaged and looted after decades of war. The 250 pieces on display in Paris have been lent by French, German, Russian, and American museums as well as by private collectors.
The richness and variety of the art is striking. Carved ivory and Mughal miniatures from India, lacquerware from China, Egyptian glass, Greco-Roman busts, and statuettes from the Bronze Age all bear witness to the centuries of trade, migrations and conquests that make up Afghan history. Among the most noteworthy pieces are the images of the Buddha with classical Hellenistic features. Seldom-seen works from private collections include a Parthian bronze archer covered with gold leaf, and a silver and gold ceremonial ax decorated with symbolic animals, an ancient piece that seems remarkably contemporary. Helmets, traditional garments and jewelry complete the exhibit.
The Musee Guimet is one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art. It was originally founded in Lyon in 1879 by the French industrialist, archaeologist and passionate traveler, Emile Guimet. The collection was moved to Paris in 1885 and became France’s national museum of Asian art in 1945. The museum was entirely renovated and reopened in January 2001.
"Afghanistan, a Timeless History" runs until May 27. To complement the exhibit, the Musee Guimet is offering rare documentary films and a concert of traditional Afghan music. For children, "Afghan Spring" is a series of art activities and storytelling events.
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(For more information please consult www.museeguimet.fr/RMN/guimet/ or enjoy a virtual visit at www.rmn.fr/afghanistan/oeuvres/index.html.)
