Artwork preview

Head of a Buddha

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Head of a Buddha by an unknown artist depicts a stone sculpture of a human head with a serene expression. The head is tilted slightly forward and has a subtle, closed-mouth smile. The eyes are closed, and the eyelids are slightly puffed. The head is rendered in a neutral color with shades of brown and gray, exhibiting signs of aging and wear. The hair is depicted as short, tightly curled, and textured, forming small bumps on the scalp. A prominent rounded protuberance crowns the head. The sculpture is mounted on a black cylindrical stand, which is attached to a beige rectangular base. The background is a gradient transitioning from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.

Artwork Details

Date
mid-6th century
Medium
Limestone with traces of pigment and gilding
Culture
China
Dimensions
469 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette