Pensive Bodhisattva
Pakistan (Ancient region of Gandhara)
2nd-3rd century
- Medium
- Gray schist
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Dimensions
- 50.2 × 25.4 × 10.2 cm (19 3/4 × 10 × 4 in.)
- Culture
- Gandhara
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of Asia
- Credit line
- James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the Art Institute of Chicago
About this work
Before the historical Buddha reached Enlightenment, he was a young prince named Siddhartha. Here he is represented in that guise, seated on a cushioned throne, wearing rich silks, abundant jewelry, and an elaborate turban decorated with gems and flowers. Although his left arm does not survive, his pose is that of a pensive bodhisattva, so his right hand would have been raised to point at his head to indicate deep thought. This thinking pose encouraged elite viewers to likewise consider their spiritual state and make efforts to move forward on the path toward Enlightenment.
Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0
