Head of Guanyin
late Northern Qi/Sui dynasty, late 6th century
Medium
Marble with traces of metal fittings at crown
Dimensions
68.6 × 43.2 × 45.7 cm (27 1/16 × 17 1/16 × 18 in.)
Classification
marble
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
9613
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The benign, altruistic aspect of Buddhism is expressed in this beautifully sculpted marble head of the bodhisattva Guanyin (Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara). The miniature image of the Buddha known as Amitabha (Amituo), depicted in the crown, is clear indication of the bodhisattva's identity. Certain features of this head are shared with other Buddhist icons: the concave forehead circle (urna) is an auspicious mark from which wisdom radiates; the elongated earlobes allude to the aristocratic Indian cus...
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...