Head of Buddha
3rd/4th century
Medium
Stucco with pigments
Dimensions
18.2 × 22 × 16.1 cm (7 1/8 × 9 × 6 in.)
Classification
stuccowork
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
153246
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This excellently preserved head represents key strategies used in the ancient region of Gandhara (present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan) to help worshipers connect with the Buddha (Enlightened One) and his teachings. First, the head is naturalistically modeled and fully colored, and it would have been attached to a robed body, standing or seated in meditation, creating a sense of the Buddha as present and approachable. It also includes a halo, representing the wisdom encoded in Buddhist doctrine,...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...