Maitreya Buddha
Tang dynasty (618–906), dated 705
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
82.3 × 33 × 30.2 cm (32 7/16 × 12 15/16 × 11 15/16 in.)
Classification
stone
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11690
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The depiction of the enthroned Buddha incorporates several key elements of Buddhist iconography. The posture, with both legs down and the feet firmly planted on the ground—known in Sanskrit as the bhadrasana or “auspicious pose”—originated in Northwest India. This pose was widely used across the Indian subcontinent and beyond to depict Hindu and Buddhist deities associated with royalty and fertility. The Buddha is clearly identified here by a dated inscription as Mile, a transliterated name 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...