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Ascetic Shakyamuni

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
At the age of 29, Siddhartha left the comforts of his palace to seek answers and spiritual solace. He cut his hair and removed his jewelry. He tried fasting as a way to test his dedication but the hunger distracted him from meditation. He would later preach “The Middle Path,” avoiding extremes of behavior in favor of focusing one’s thoughts on enlightenment. Images of the fasting Siddhartha promote this philosophy of moderation.
MEDIUM Wood with pigmented lacquer, inlaid crystal, metal
  • Place Made: Japan
  • DATES 17th – 18th century
    PERIOD Edo period
    DIMENSIONS 8 1/2 x 6 1/16 x 7 1/8 in. (21.6 x 15.4 x 18 cm) a - figure: 7 3/4 × 6 × 6 3/8 in. (19.7 × 15.2 × 16.2 cm) b - base: 1 × 6 1/4 × 6 1/4 in. (2.5 × 15.9 × 15.9 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 88.145a-b
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Asian Art Council
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
    CAPTION Ascetic Shakyamuni, 17th – 18th century. Wood with pigmented lacquer, inlaid crystal, metal, 8 1/2 x 6 1/16 x 7 1/8 in. (21.6 x 15.4 x 18 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council, 88.145a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 88.145a-b_threequarter_PS6.jpg)
    IMAGE 88.145a-b_threequarter_PS6.jpg., 2016
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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