Female torso
1000s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
This life-size sculpture of a female figure was likely installed by a doorway or in an exterior niche of a Buddhist temple. Throughout the history of Indian art, voluptuous female figures have adorned Buddhist sanctuaries. Embodying the Indian ideal of female beauty, the form of the young mother with full breasts of milk personifies abundance, nourishment, and productivity—ideas that were considered auspicious and life affirming. Her copious jewels and valuable textiles also visually relate that the good karmic actions of venerating the Buddha and following his teachings will result in abundant good fortune.
- Title: Female torso
- Date Created: 1000s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 89 x 44 x 19 cm (35 1/16 x 17 5/16 x 7 1/2 in.)
- Provenance: Dr. John A. [1921–2011] and Maxeen Stone Flower [1928–2010], Shaker Heights, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Type: Sculpture
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2011.146
- Medium: black chlorite
- Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Culture: Northeastern India, Pala dynasty (730-1197)
- Credit Line: Gift of Maxeen and John Flower in honor of Dr. Stanislaw Czuma
- Collection: Indian Art
- Accession Number: 2011.146
Get the app
Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.