Maitreya, Buddha of the future, 3rd century ::

Details

Other Titles: Stele with Bodhisattva seated in contemplation
Seated pensive Bodhisattva
Maitreya
Places where the work was made: Ancient Gandhara → Afghanistan
Ancient Gandhara → Pakistan
Period: Kushan period mid 1st century - early 5th century
Date: 3rd century
Media category: Sculpture
Materials used: schist
Dimensions: 79.0 x 39.0 x 18.0 cm
Signature & date: Not signed. Not dated.
Credit: Purchased 1997
Location: Not on display
Accession number: 7.1997
Copyright: Reproduction requests
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About

Originating in the north-west regions of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, the art of Gandhara represents a unique meeting of East and West. From these sources there emerged a remarkable new art that flourished during the first four centuries of the current era. This figure of a Maitreya is distinguished by its quiet and contemplative attitude, the distinctive face with prominent moustache, the flowing drapery, the ornate pedestal, and the right foot casually raised leaving an empty sandal on the footstool. The right hand lightly touches the head in a pensive gesture, and the left holds a covered water bowl. It is an image that beautifully and richly embraces its cosmopolitan heritage and lays the foundations for the great traditions of East Asian Buddhist sculpture.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 1999

Exhibition history

Shown in 2 exhibitions

Conversations through the Asian collections, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 Oct 2014–13 Mar 2016
Walking with gods, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Jun 2019–05 Jan 2020

Bibliography

Referenced in 9 publications

Edmund Capon AM, OBE, Art Gallery of New South Wales: highlights from the collection, Sydney, 2008, 182, 183 (colour illus.), 188 (colour illus.). The colour illus. on page 188 is a detail of this work.
Jonathan Cooper (Editor), The Art Gallery of New South Wales Bulletin, Sydney, Feb 1998-Apr 1998, 41 (colour illus.).
Bruce James, Art Gallery of New South Wales handbook, 'Asian Collection: South Asia', pg. 288-297, Sydney, 1999, 288 (colour illus.).
Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, 'Buddhist Art', Sydney, 2003, 28-29 (colour illus.). The colour illus. on page 29 is a detail of this work.
Jackie Menzies, Arts of Asia, 'New Dimensions', pg. 54-63, Hong Kong, Nov 2003-Dec 2003, 59 (colour illus.). no.11
Jackie Menzies, Look, 'Evolution and enlightenment', pg. 30- 32., Sydney, Jul 2015, 32 (colour illus.).
Pratapaditya Pal, Orientations, 'Sensuous Spirituality: Hindu and Buddhist Art from the Indic Cultural Realm', pg. 80-87, Hong Kong, Sep 2000, 82 (illus.; colour illus.). fig.4 and 4a (detail)
Public Programmes Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Adventures in Asia. An education kit for the Asian gallery, Sydney, 2003, 1 (colour illus.). card no.1
Wendy Symonds (Editor), Look, 'Asian Art Gallery New Courses', pg. 20, Heidelberg, Feb 1998, 20 (colour illus.).

Provenance

The provenance of this work is under review and records will be updated as new details become available. The Gallery welcomes any information. Contact provenance@ag.nsw.gov.au

Julian Sadik-Sherrier, pre Sep 1996, London/England, purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1997.