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Buddha Torso

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
The earliest known Buddha images were made in India and Pakistan in the first or second century C.E. Buddha images made around the ancient city of Mathura, in northern central India, have smooth hair; soft, fleshy bodies with garments that cling as if they are wet; a direct, outward gaze that engages the viewer; and a slight smile. In contrast, most later Buddha images have downcast eyes to suggest a state of meditation.
MEDIUM Mottled red sandstone
  • Place Made: Mathura, India
  • DATES 2nd century C.E.
    PERIOD Kushan Period
    DIMENSIONS 12 1/2 x 10 3/4 x 4 5/8 in.  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1990.184
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Michael de Havenon
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
    CAPTION Buddha Torso, 2nd century C.E. Mottled red sandstone, 12 1/2 x 10 3/4 x 4 5/8 in. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Michael de Havenon, 1990.184. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1990.184_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 1990.184_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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