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Life of the Buddha - Great Departure
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Life of the Buddha - Great Departure
CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), dated 492; Commissioned by Guo Yuanqing; Sandstone; H: 33.7 cm; Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, Japan
The sculpture features Prince Siddhartha bidding farewell to his horse Kanthaka and his personal charioteer Chandaka after his departure from the royal palace. The prince is seated with the right foot rested on his left knee and supporting his elbow. This traditional position of contemplation is emphasized by the figure’s closed eyes.
To the left, the saddled Kanthaka kneels with his front legs before the prince, the horse’s head fitting neatly beneath the lifted knee. Behind the horse is a groom. The damaged figure of Chandaka kneels with palms presumably joined is on the right and a monk stands behind him.
Above the niche’s lintel is a row of seated Buddhas with a pair of apsaras flying downwards on either side. A long inscription at the bottom dates the sculpture to 492 and names Guo Yuanqing and another person surnamed Peng as the patrons. |
