Seated Guanyin
Song dynasty (960–1279)
Medium
Paulownia wood with polychromy and gilding
Dimensions
158.0 x 97.8 cm (H: 62 1/4 x W: 38 1/2 in)
Classification
sculpture
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
9259
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Guanyin is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, one of the most beloved Chinese Buddhist deities. He can be identified by the small figure of Amituo (Amitabha), Buddha of the Western Paradise, in his headdress. His pose—seated with one leg hanging and his right arm resting on the other knee—further distinguishes him as Guanyin of the Southern Sea, a reference to the deity’s island home. The figure’s gentle expression makes an emotional appeal to the viewer, which is typical of Chinese sculpture from t...
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...