Analyzing Art- Sculpture from India at the Birmingham Museum of Art

Rachel Ejem

ARH 206
Professor Wallinder-Pierini
September 24, 2014

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The sculptural piece entitled, Bodhisattva was created approximated 250 CE.1 This
sculpture is a relatively small about 2 feet by 3 feet, and it is carved from schist stone.2 It was
placed on a pedestal in the museum. Upon looking at it (Figure 1 and 2), one can see a male
figure, a Bodhisattva, seated on a cushioned stool.3 He wears a decorative hairpiece and is
wearing a necklace. He also has an urna (i.e.whorl of hair) on his forehead. The Bodhisattva
has a full face, and appears to mediating, as his gaze is downward. He sits with his legs spread
apart with one foot touching the ground and the other and rested on the stool, and is also
barefooted. The Bodhisattva wears a toga, and it covers his body like wet drapery. One can also
see his bare chest and torso through his clothes. He appears to be in good shape as his chest is
toned, and his figure does not appear to be overly fleshy. One can see the folds in his garment on
his left shoulder, arms, and on his legs. A circular arch surrounds the Bodhisattva, which is a
halo. The Bodhisattva is also holding a lotus flower by its stem in his left hand. He is
surrounded by two figures. These figures have been damaged, so most of the details are missing.
One can tell that the right figure is a man due to his masculine chest. This figure is wearing
jewelry as well. These figures are smaller in scale then the Bodhisattva, and thus hierarchical are
less significant then him.
This artwork was created in Gandhara, India in 250 CE, and as mentioned before, this
piece is made out of rough stone called schist.4 Pieces made in this fashion were created during
the Kushan Dynasty.5 The Kushans ruled Gandhara during at this time. They were interested in
displaying the life of the Buddha. During their reign, numerous sculptural pieces of the Buddha
were made, as well as pieces of the Bodhisattva. During this time, trading occurred on the Silk
Road.6 As a result of this, the Kushan people were influenced the Roman Empire. For example,

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the toga that the Bodhisattva is wearing, as well as the cushioned pillar he sits on, comes from
Roman influence.
The focus of the sculptural piece is the Bodhisattva. He is an enlightened being, or in
other words a Buddha to be.7 A Bodhisattva follows the teachings of the Buddha, the Dharma, in
hope to reach enlightenment, thus ending Samsara. Samsara is the cycle of rebirth that a person
endures to reach Nirvana, or final liberation from cyclical existence.8 According to the Art
Institute of Chicago, [A Bodhisattva] act[s] as the eternal helpers of the Buddha, embodying his
boundless mercy and compassion.9 His goal is to spread the teachings of Buddha to the nonbelievers, and thus he postpones his own enlightenment. He wears fine jewelry and elaborate
hairpiece in order to signify his worldly environment.
There are similarities between Bodhisattva and the Buddha. Both male figures wear
togas, and both tie up their hair in a bun. They also have common elongated ear lobes. During
this era in Indian art, sculptures of the Buddha and the Bodhisattva would include a halo.10 It
symbolizes deity and kingship as well as their spirituality. Many pieces of the Buddha have him
holding the lotus flower. In this piece the Bodhisattva also holds a lotus in his hand. The lotus is
a Buddhist symbol, and can be seen in many Buddhist art.11
As for differences, the Buddha lived a modest lifestyle. He was born a prince, but
renounced the throne to spread his message.12 His clothes were plain, and he wore no fine
jewelry. He wears his wavy hair in a simple bun. As evident (in Figure 1), the Bodhisattva
wears fine jewelry and an elaborate headpiece. He wears these things to signify his worldly
connections. It is a Bodhisattvas job is to save people, and so he adapts to his environment.
This is a major difference that allows a viewer to easily tell them apart. The Buddha has no
worldly connections, but the Bodhisattva does.

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The Kushan dynasty was fascinated with portraying the life of the Buddha, and his
teachings. A Bodhisattva has an important role in spreading the Buddhas Dharma. This
sculptural piece symbolizes the importance of a Bodhisattva to the legacy of the Buddha.

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Notes

1. 1 The Birmingham Museum of Art, Bodhisattva,

2.

2 The

Birmingham Museum of Art, Bodhisattva,

3.

3 The

Birmingham Museum of Art, Bodhisattva,

4.

4 The

Birmingham Museum of Art, Bodhisattva,

5. 5 Lee, Sherman E., A History of Far Eastern Art. Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and
Harry N. Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993, 105.

6. 6 Lee, Sherman E., A History of Far Eastern Art. Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and
Harry N. Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993, 105.

7. 7 Lee, Sherman E., A History of Far Eastern Art. Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and
Harry N. Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993, 105.

8. 8 The Art Institute of Chicago, Bodhisattva,


9. 9 The Art Institute of Chicago, Bodhisattva,


10. 10 The Art Institute of Chicago, Bodhisattva,

11. 11 Lee, Sherman E., A History of Far Eastern Art. Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and
Harry N. Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993, 107.


12. 12 Lee, Sherman E., A History of Far Eastern Art. Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and
Harry N. Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993, 81.

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Figure 1

Bodhisattva, 250 CE, India, Gandhara

Figure 2

Bodhisattva, 250 CE, India, Gandhara

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Bibliography
The Art Institute of Chicago, Bodhisattva,

The Birmingham Museum of Art, Bodhisattva, Museum wall label.
Lee, Sherman E., A History of Far Eastern Art. Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and Harry N.
Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993.