Door Guardian (Dvarapala)

Door Guardian (Dvarapala)

Unknown artist

Details

Medium
Stucco
Dimensions
H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm)
Department
Asian Art
Holding institution
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
License
CC0-1.0
Credit
Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 1991

Art Genome Taxonomy

9 tags

Subject Matter

  • Human Figure Both · 99%

    The image depicts a single seated human figure, consistent with the catalog's Figure classification.

  • Mythology and Religion Metadata · 90%

    The museum title identifies the figure as a Dvarapala, or door guardian, an iconographic figure associated with religious architecture and protection.

Visual Qualities

  • Rough Visual · 98%

    The surface appears granular, uneven, and extensively abraded, with eroded details and losses across the figure and lower section.

  • Earth Tones Visual · 98%

    The sculpture is dominated by warm tan and brown earthen tones.

  • Asymmetrical Visual · 90%

    The unequal arm positions, turned head, bent posture, and varied drapery create an asymmetrical visual arrangement.

  • Cracked Visual · 96%

    Visible cracks and breaks interrupt the lower body, base, torso, and other modeled areas.

Medium and Techniques

  • Sculpture Both · 99%

    The catalog classifies the work as Sculpture, and the image clearly shows a freestanding three-dimensional modeled figure.

Time Periods

  • Ancient Art Metadata · 95%

    The museum dates the work to ca. 4th century, within the catalog's Ancient Art period.

Geographic Regions

  • Asian Art Metadata · 98%

    The stated place of origin is Pakistan, in the ancient region of Gandhara, supporting its classification within Asian art.

Source & rights

Unknown artist. Door Guardian (Dvarapala). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.