佛像网

尺寸：68.6 × 43.2 × 45.7 cm
年代：北齐-隋代
质地：石雕
风格：中原
来源：芝加哥艺术博物馆
参阅：外部链接
鉴赏：
Head of Guanyin
late Northern Qi/Sui dynasty, late 6th century
China

The benign, altruistic aspect of Buddhism is expressed in this beautifully sculpted marble head of the bodhisattva Guanyin (Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara). The miniature image of the Buddha known as Amitabha (Amituo), depicted in the crown, is clear indication of the bodhisattva’s identity. Certain features of this head are shared with other Buddhist icons: the concave forehead circle (urna) is an auspicious mark from which wisdom radiates; the elongated earlobes allude to the aristocratic Indian custom of wearing heavy earrings, and thereby to the Buddha’s early life as an Indian prince.

This majestic head, which was severed from a monumental standing figure, characterizes the finest sculpture made in far northern China in the late sixth century. The fine-grain white marble from this area was well suited to rounded, smoothly polished surfaces and austere, idealized images. Serene benevolence emanates from Guanyin’s gentle, meditative expression (somewhat altered by later recutting of the pupils of the eyes).

著录:
Bulletin of the Art Institute of Chicago 18, 1(January 1924), cover (ill.), p. 122 (citation)

Elinor Pearlstein and James T. Ulak, Asian Art in the Art Institutr of Chicago (Art Institute of Chicago / Harry N. Abrams, 1993), P. 148, p. 38, 39 (ill)