China, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) / early 1300s
Shakyamuni as an Ascetic
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Shakyamuni as an Ascetic as sculpture (China, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) · early 1300s).
Although the historical Buddha is here portrayed during a time of spiritual discipline and abstention from earthly pleasures, his robe has a sumptuous, elaborately decorated border.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as gilt bronze with polychromy.
The museum's collection notes: This statue is of monumental scale and exceptionally fine workmanship. A work of this size and quality was likely to have been made in the official workshops under imperial auspices. The image of the ascetic Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) is both powerful and immediate. Shakyamuni is portrayed in a state of contemplative meditation with closed eyes and an inward smile. He leans forward, head and hands resting on an upraised knee. The representation speaks eloquently of his withdrawal from the world to attain self-realization. It recalls another famous iconic image in the Cleveland collection depicting Shakyamuni descending from the mounta
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtShakyamuni as an AsceticOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.