Head of a Buddha

Among the most serene images of the Buddha ever carved, this white marble sculpture features the fleshy oval face, with small eyes and short nose, that became a hallmark of the style of the Northern Qi dynasty, which controlled northern China in the late sixth century and heavily patronized Buddhism. The plump face and wavy hair, and the circular design on the head, anticipate the Tang dynasty style of a century later. Although the small, half-closed eyes suggest that the Buddha is lost in meditation, painted details would have given them a particular focus, so that the Buddha would have seemed more engaged with the world. In addition, a large-scale sculpture of this type would have been placed slightly above the viewer, so that the Buddha would appear to look down benevolently into the raised gaze of the supplicant.