Treasures of ancient India
(That's Beijing)
Updated: 2007-02-26 09:31
A
broad selection of classical sculpture from the best archaeological and national
museums of India inaugurates the start of 2007's China-India Friendship Year.
Though jaw-dropping works are lacking, the show contains many small but
impressive sculptural jewels from the subcontinent.
Divided along religious and temporal themes, the show begins with early
Buddhist sculpture (300 BC-300 AD), where a glistening limestone Sakyamuni
Buddha from the second century dominates the room. The influence of trade with
the Greco-Roman empire can be read in the furrowed brows and realistic
features.
After a jaunt through Gupta art (fourth-seventh century AD) you'll be
treated to the waning years of Buddhist sculpture (after the ninth century),
where a finely detailed tenth century stone Buddha in abhaya mudra (the hand
gesture of fearlessness) presents its serene and curvy form. Its flanking
apsaras and bodhisattvas with hips slung contrapposto hint at the bawdier forms
of Hindu sculpture.
The star of this last selection of Hindu and Jain sculpture is an 11th
century celestial nymph playing the flute. Her robust backside faces the viewer
at an erotic contortionist's angle. Her almond eyes flirt sidelong at the viewer
as a halo of curled snakes rises behind her. You may have to push past more than
a few middle-aged men to see this beauty.
The modest selection is accompanied by tasteful music and various electronic
media that include English descriptions, proving the Capital Museum is doing its
best to strike an international pose in its new home.
Time: 9a.m. - 5p.m.,until February 27
Location: Capital Museum, No. 3,
Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-64012118
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