Buddhist Monk in a Grotto 乾隆御题诗玉山子
Late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 17th–early 18th century
Medium
Jade
Dimensions
9 × 8.1 × 2.2 cm (3 9/16 × 3 3/16 × 7/8 in.)
Classification
jade
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
71199
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Chinese scholars commissioned exquisitely crafted sculptures to decorate the desks of their private studies. The upper corner of this miniature mountain cave is incised with an inscription datable to the reign of the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795). However, it is likely that this inscription was added later. The artistic style of the sculpture suggests that it was created one century earlier than the inscription. Carved to depict a Buddhist monk peacefully meditating in a grotto, the sculpture ...
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...