Artwork Analysis Blog Post (Due October 9, 2020)

 


Religious groups are known for forming their own cultures around their belief systems and lifestyles, and artistic expression can be a large part of that. There are many paintings, sculptures, etc. that depict religious figureheads, scenes, and scripture.

The most well-known is the Buddha, made to represent Siddhartha Gautama, who was the founder of Buddhism. He was born into a wealthy, royal family, but gave up his opulence to seek fulfillment in poverty. He would soon discover this fulfillment in between the wealthy and the poor – the “Middle Way”, the modern-day equivalent of a middle-class lifestyle where one would not be deprived or overly indulged. He spread his teachings of enlightenment for the rest of his days, and his followers did the same after he passed away.

His impact not only left an impact on his followers, but the art they crafted in his honor. Like in this piece, he is often depicted in the form of Amitabha. His posture indicates meditation, a practice that is very important to Buddhists as Buddha Gautama supposedly took part in this often in search of enlightenment. As such, many pieces involving the Buddha depict him in a similar pose.

 

Works Cited

"Beliefs made visible: Buddhist art in South Asia," in Smarthistory, January 27, 2016, accessed October 7, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/beliefs-made-visible-buddhist-art-in-south-asia/.

Buddha, Probably Amitabha (Amituofo). (n.d.). Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/42163


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