Standing Shakyamuni Buddha

The short-lived Northern Qi dynasty was a time of fundamental change in Buddhist imagery. This sculpture of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, features a solemn expression, smooth planes, and a thin garment with an underrobe that falls in a series of stylized pleats—a common tendency of Northern Qi sculptors. Once carved, such sculptures were entirely painted in bright pigments like red, green, blue, and gold. Then they were consecrated, granting them the ability to receive the spirit of the Buddha and offer salvation to worshippers.