Minneapolis Institute of Art

Maitreya (The Buddha of the Future)

China

Date

early 6th century BCE

Medium

Gray limestone

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This sculpture represents Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, inspired by works from the Longmen cave complex in central China. Maitreya is seated with legs crossed at the ankles, a posture derived from non-Chinese traditions. Robes, scarves, and hems are rendered in flat, patterned folds rather than naturalistic forms, reflecting the Northern Wei interest in abstraction and spiritual expression rather than realism. Asia

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