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Yungang Grottoes: Standing Buddha
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Yungang Grottoes: Standing Buddha
CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty (386–534); Stone; H: 129 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
This statue was originally located at the Yungang Grottoes. The Buddha is depicted with a smiling, round face and a high usnisa, which is smooth and spherical. The figure has a flat forehead, curved eyebrows, slightly opened eyes, a straight nose, and elongated earlobes. The Buddha stands bare footed. The loose monastic robe is tied at the waist and drapes over the right arm from across the chest. The right hand forms the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while the left displays the varada (wish-granting) mudra. The carving is very concise, and clearly demonstrates the Buddhist sculptural style of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). |
