Artwork preview

Head of a bodhisattva

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Head of a bodhisattva is a sculpture of a human head with a serene expression. The head is made of stone and has a light brown color. The face is oval-shaped with a slightly pointed chin. The eyes are closed, and the eyebrows are thin and arched. The nose is straight and proportional to the rest of the facial features. The lips are thin and slightly curved upwards, giving the impression of a subtle smile. The head is adorned with a crown-like structure on top, which appears to be made of the same stone as the head. The crown is intricately carved with rounded shapes. The hair is styled in an updo, covered by the crown. The head is mounted on a white rectangular base, which is visible at the bottom of the image. The background of the image is a gradient that transitions from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.

Artwork Details

Date
late 5th century
Medium
Sandstone with traces of pigment
Culture
China
Dimensions
468 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette