Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
8th/9th century
Medium
Mica schist
Dimensions
55.3 × 44.5 × 8.9 cm (21 3/4 × 17 1/2 × 3 1/2 in.)
Classification
sculpture
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
151093
Art Historical Context
This serene sculpture of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, carved from mica schist in the 8th or 9th century, embodies the compassionate spirit central to Mahayana Buddhism. Avalokiteshvara, known as the bodhisattva of infinite mercy, is depicted in a graceful standing pose, inviting devotees to seek solace in times of suffering. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this 55.3 × 44.5 × 8.9 cm masterpiece likely originated from the Indian subcontinent—possibly Kashmir or eastern India—during a golden age of Buddhist art when sculptors crafted icons to inspire devotion in ...
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...