Artist: unknown
Title: The Great Stupa/Mount Meru at Borobudur, view from the east
Material: local volcanic rock
Site: Borobudur, Central Java, Indonesia
Current Location: in situ
Period/Date: ca. end of the 8th - beginning of the 9th century,
under the Shailendra Dynasty
Iconography/Iconology: Not apparent in previous views, Borobudur
is located on a high natural mound, which has been sculpted into terraces.
Thus the ascent from the east, as seen here, begins with a long series of
stairs before one reaches the actual monument. The effect is that of climbing
through the foothills and lower reaches of the mountain before one climbs
the peak of the mountain monument.
Stylistic Comments: The monument as it stands today is a product
of two modern restorations. As such, it is impoossible to know the original
appearance of the lower reches of the monument.
