Buddha
This elegant, monumental sculpture is the earliest type of Buddha image to be made in Southeast Asia. It comes from a site in north-central Thailand that was part of the Dvaravati kingdom (500s–1200s). The body shows direct links with the sculptural traditions at Sarnath in northern India on the banks of the Ganges River. The expression of the face has the peaceful introspection that became canonical during the Gupta period of the 5th century in India. The shape of the head and facial features—unlike Indian precursors—suggest that the artists and patrons of Dvaravati made the Buddha resembl...
Details
- Palette
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Select a color to find related artworks.
- Medium
- sandstone
- Dimensions
- overall: height 1.327 m; without tang: height 1.142 m
- Department
- Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Image provider
- cleveland-museum-of-art
- License
- CC0-1.0
- Credit
- Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Art Genome Taxonomy
9 tags
Subject Matter
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Deities and Holy Figures Both · 99%
The sculpture visibly represents the Buddha, and the museum title and description identify it as a Buddha image.
Visual Qualities
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Slender Visual · 84%
The elongated body, narrow vertical silhouette, and long fall of the garment produce a notably slender overall form.
Medium and Techniques
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Sculpture Both · 99%
The object is a freestanding three-dimensional figure, and the catalog classifies it as sculpture.
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Carving Both · 98%
The figure’s form, drapery, facial features, hair curls, and base are visibly shaped as a carved stone sculpture.
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Frontal Perspective Visual · 89%
The figure is presented facing forward with a largely centered and balanced pose, despite losses along the sides and lower garment.
Time Periods
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500 - 1000 CE Art Metadata · 98%
The work is dated to the 600s, within the 500–1000 CE period.
Geographic Regions
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Southeast Asian Art Metadata · 99%
The catalog identifies Thailand, probably Shri Thep, as the place of origin.
Materials
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Stone Metadata · 99%
The catalog identifies the medium as sandstone, which is a type of stone.
Cultural and Religious Styles
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Buddhist Art and Architecture Metadata · 99%
The museum explicitly describes the work as a Buddha image and places it within the Buddhist artistic tradition of Southeast Asia.
Source & rights
Unknown artist. Buddha. Cleveland Museum of Art.