Artist: unknown
Title: Seated Buddha, side view
Material: gilt bronze
Site: unknown
Current Location: Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum, San
Francisco
Period/Date: Dated 338 C.E.
Iconography/Iconology:
Stylistic Comments: This view shows a characteristic
lack of detailing that many of these early images display. This suggests
that during the 4th and 5th centuries in China such images were intended
to be seen exclusively from the front. Even the three-dimensionality of
the body is reduced giving rise to a impression of an unnaturally flattened
figure.
