Ascetic Shakyamuni
17th - 18th century
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
At the age of 29, Siddhartha left the comforts of his palace to seek answers and spiritual solace. He cut his hair and removed his jewelry. He tried fasting as a way to test his dedication but the hunger distracted him from meditation. He would later preach “The Middle Path,” avoiding extremes of behavior in favor of focusing one’s thoughts on enlightenment. Images of the fasting Siddhartha promote this philosophy of moderation.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Wood with pigmented lacquer, inlaid crystal, metal
- Locations
- Place made: Japan
- Period
- Edo period
- Dimensions
- 8 1/2 x 6 1/16 x 7 1/8 in. (21.6 x 15.4 x 18 cm) a - figure: 7 3/4 × 6 × 6 3/8 in. (19.7 × 15.2 × 16.2 cm) b - base: 1 × 6 1/4 × 6 1/4 in. (2.5 × 15.9 × 15.9 cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 88.145a-b
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Asian Art Council
- Exhibitions
- Iggy Pop Life Class by Jeremy Deller, Arts of Buddhism
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
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