Head of a Buddha
from the Central
Leigutaidong Cave
Tang Dynasty
Height 66.0 cm
Limestone
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco |
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This Buddha head originally
came from a seated image in the Central Leigutaidong Cave. His head
are richly executed, and his youthfulness is masterfully depicted
through the volume and majesty of his facial feature. It suggests
that this image dates to the early eighth century. |
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Seated Bodhisattva
Tang Dynasty
Overall height 90.5 cm Limestone
The Longmen Caves Research Institute |
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| This image-exhibited for the first time-was excavated from the ruins
of Fenxiansi Temple, which maintained the great Buddha in the largest
cave at Longmen of the same name, the Fenxiansidong Cave. His youthful
countenance is filled with vigor and is fully expressed in his fleshy,
round facial feature. His elongated torso with an elegant, thin waist
and the natural-looking robes that drape thinly over his body are
magnificently executed, bringing to life the aesthetic sensibilities
reminiscent of the age of Empress Wu Zetian. |
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The Crowned Buddha at the Southern
Leigutaidong Cave
Tang Dynasty
Height 240 cm Limestone
The Longmen Caves Research Institute |
The stern expression of this image radiates an impressive presence. Originally,
a Buddha does not wear ornaments, however, this image is unusual in that
he wears a jeweled crown on his head and is bedecked with ornaments on his
chest and around his arms. Famous from early on, this image will leave the
Southern Leigutaidong Cave for the first time to be exhibited in Japan. |
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