Buddha Shakyamuni Seated in Meditation (Dhyanamudra)
Unknown, Chola period, about 12th century
About this artwork
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 worship and devotion. Measuring over 1.6 meters tall, this imposing yet tranquil figure highlights the technical prowess of anonymous Chola artisans, who transformed massive granite blocks into fluid drapery folds and idealized features using chisels and abrasives. Granite's hardness ensured longevity, making such works fixtures in temple niches or processional paths, resisting India's tropical climate for centuries. As a rare Buddhist image from a period dominated by Hindu temple sculpture, it reflects the Cholas' eclectic patronage and the enduring influence of Mahayana and Theravada traditions. Today, at the Art Institute of Chicago, it invites visitors to pause and reflect on timeless themes of inner peace and spiritual awakening.