Art Institute of Chicago
Buddha Shakyamuni with Attendants
IndiaLinkedCulture matchlcp-1953a76f7207
- Date
- Kushan period, 2nd century
- Medium
- Sandstone
- Culture
- Mathura
- Department
- Arts of Asia
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Object ID
- 148394
From the Art Institute of Chicago record
This stele epitomizes the distinctive style of the early Mathura school of Buddhist sculpture, characterized by its mottled red sandstone and such features as the Buddha’s twisted topknot, the diaphanous garment worn over one shoulder, and the supple modeling of his body. Here, the Buddha is portrayed seated in vajraparyanka ( vajra posture) upon a simhasana (lion throne). He is flanked on either side by attendants bearing fly-whisks, while vidyadharas (celestials) hover overhead. The tree branches splayed out behind the Buddha’s aureole invoke his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
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Provenance & credit
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- Credit line
- James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection. Gift of Marilynn Alsdorf
- Provenance
- With John Siudmak, London, by Apr. 15, 1983 [this and the following according to receipt from John Siudmak, Apr. 15, 1983; copy in curatorial object file]; sold to James W. Alsdorf (1913–1990) and Marilynn B. Alsdorf (1925–2019), Winnetka and Chicago, IL, Apr. 15, 1983; by descent to Marilynn B. Alsdorf, Chicago, 1990 [on long-term loan, Washington, D.C., Arthur Sackler Museum of Art, 1992–96; publicly promised as a gift to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1997; signed a promised gift agreement for the work, 2002]; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2021.
Linked open data
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- Object type
- AAT300301253
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