Minneapolis Institute of Art

Head of a Luohan

China

Date

14th-15th century

Medium

Wood, lacquer, pigments, glass or stone

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This serene-looking Luohan, a disciple of the Buddha, is an example of the uniqueness and individuality that artists of the late Yuan (1271–1368) or early Ming (1368–1644) dynasties were capable of conveying in their work. Eccentric and reclusive, Luohans signify the meditative, nonmaterial values of Buddhism. Despite being regarded as saintly, enlightened men, they were usually portrayed as humanlike rather than as supernatural entities, as suggested by the expressive, dignified appearance of this youthful figure. China, Asia

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.