Seated+Avalokitesvara

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 * Seated Avalokitesvara**

Title: Seated Avalokitesvara Artist: Unknown Origin: Korea Period: 12th-13th century Accession Number: 1977.344 Provenance: 1977, sold by Korean dealer Mrs. Nansoo L. Juhon, Denver to the MFA(Accessions date: June 9, 1977)
 * Identification**

This entry discusses a bronze image of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara that was created in Korea in the 2-13th century. Avalokitesvara is considered the Bodhisattva of compassion.
 * Introduction**

In this artwork the bodhisattva is depicted a seated position with his legs crossed with the soles of the feet facing upward. Each foot is touching the opposite leg and the clothing is covering them. His clothing covers him from his shoulders to his feet. Also covering his arms up to his hand. The Avalokitesvara's left hand is at chest height palm facing out making the abhya mudra. The right hand of Bodhisattva is pointed down and resting on the right knee with the palm also facing upto form "gift-bestowing" gesture (varada mudra). This Bodhisattva has a round full face, his eyes are closed, and he has a warming smile on his face. Avalokitesvara is wearing a crown that has decorations on it with a central image of the Buddha Amitabha (Paine, p. 58). The Avalokitesvaras ears hang kind of low and he's wearing ear rings. This sculpture is made out of a bronze material and it has a dark tone to it.[|(MFA]) This statues is in good condition. Its not missing any body parts and seems to have everything that was originally on it still on it.
 * Descriptive Analysis**

This art work originated in Korea sometinme around the 12th to 13th period (source: based on what? style, and inscription?...). Some of the strongest influences on Korean sculptures came from Northern Chinese states (W. Forman, p. 24). Avalokitesvara is the Bodhisattva that is most connected to the principle of compassion (Mircea. 11) This Bodhisattva is known to hear the pleas of people and comes to help in their times of distress. The name Avalokitesvara comes from the Sanskirt language, the words avalokite and isvara (Ellade, p. 11). The hand motions that are being done are called a mudra. Mudras are hand gestures that are being done in paintings and sculptures. This particular mudra is called Varada.The Varada Mudra is the gesture for compassion.([|Mudras]) This gesture is done with the left hand at chest height palm up and the right hand laying on the knee with its palm up as well.
 * Formal and Contextual Analysis**

The time and effort that went into making this sculpture is amazing. How detailed it is is what attracted my attention to it in this first place. Finding artworks like this just proves how dedicated and how much these people believed into their teachings. The way the clothing is done is a flowing like manner and how you can tell that he has jewerly on is imprevise. The story behind it is equally impressive. You can look at this statues and see the compassion features on his face and the knowing smile he has.
 * Personal Interpretation**


 * References**

Paine, Robert T. "Gilt Bronze Statues." //Masterpieces of Korean Art//. New York: Korean Gov't, 1957. 58-59. Print.

Forman, Werner, and Jaroslav Barinka. "Buddhist Sculpture." //The Art of Ancient Korea.// London: P. Nevill, 1962. 24-25. Print.

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Encyclopedia of Religion, Mircea Ellade 1987. 11 incomplete reference