Buddha Shakyamuni Seated in Meditation (Dhyanamudra)
Chola period, about 12th century
Medium
Granite
Dimensions
160 × 120.2 × 56.3 cm (63 × 47 5/16 × 22 3/16 in.)
Classification
stone (unidentified)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
21023
Art Historical Context
This monumental granite sculpture of Buddha Shakyamuni in Dhyanamudra captures the serene essence of meditation, with the historical Buddha depicted in a classic lotus position, hands resting in his lap in the gesture symbolizing deep contemplation and enlightenment. Carved during the Chola period around the 12th century in South India, it exemplifies the era's mastery of stone carving. The Chola dynasty (9th–13th centuries) was a golden age for South Indian art, renowned for grand temple complexes like those at Thanjavur, where durable granite was quarried and sculpted into enduring icons for...
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...