Bodhisattva
Tang dynasty (618–906), c. 725/50
Medium
Limestone with traces of polychromy
Dimensions
157.5 × 80.6 cm (62 × 31 3/4 in.); Diam.: 80.6 cm (31 3/4 in.)
Classification
stone
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
4453
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In eighth-century China, Buddhist sculptors adopted new standards of secular beauty for spiritual figures. Whereas images of the Buddha appear sternly formal, bodhisattvas, the merciful deities that guide men toward salvation, often display more humanistic features. This bodhisattva's graceful proportions, upswept hair, sinuous drapery, and delicate jewelry convey an appealing physical elegance. Seated informally, the deity is poised to step down from its pedestal. Together with a large seated ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...