Title

Standing Buddha

Culture

Thai

Period

Dvaravati period, 7th-8th century

Medium

Light gray limestone (known as greenstone); Mon-Gupta style

Museum

Harvard Art Museum, Cambridge, MA

Description

Although its head, forearms, and lower legs are now lost, this majestic figure’s simple clothing identifies it as an image of the Buddha. A finely incised line at the abdomen and subtle ridges at the neck and shins mark the edges of the upper and lower garments of the Buddha’s monastic robes. Although intended to be viewed primarily from the front, it was conceived as a freestanding sculpture, as evidenced by its finished, gently modeled back. The forearms would likely have projected forward in a mudra, or symbolic hand gesture, associated with the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Created during the Dvaravati period (6th–11th century), when Buddhism first flourished and Indian sculptural styles were introduced in Thailand, this sculpture reflects the influence of the late fifth-century Indian Gupta style, with its exquisitely subtle modeling, harmonious composition, and delicate balance between areas of light and shadow.

Uploaded: 2025-05-28