Dragon King
11th/early 12th century
Medium
Magnolia wood with traces of pigment
Dimensions
H.: 102.2 cm (40 1/4 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
5821
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This wooden sculpture is believed to belong to a group of more than twenty Shinto deities (kami) thought to have come from the Izumo district on the north coast of the island of Honshu. Thanks to recent research, it has been determined it is made from magnolia wood, a rare material for Shinto sculptures. The Dragon King, originally an Indian Hindu god, was gradually incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon. Veneration of this deity, who rules the seas, spread with Buddhism from India to China, an...
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...