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| The Ancient Art of Enlightenment |
An Atlas of Artwork
08/02/2004
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Khmer
From the 8th to the 15th centuries, the Khmer dynasty ruled in what
is now Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, and, in the 9th century, built the huge
temple complex at Angkor Wat. Imagery is Buddhist and Hindu, and pieces are both
sandstone and bronze. Khmer sculpture developed independently from its Indian
counterpart and is more stylized and minimal. Stone figures are carved in the
round, rather than in relief, and the contrast between smooth polished flesh and
crisply carved garments and hair is a major design element.
Himalayan
Although clearly influenced by Indian sculpture, Tibetan and
Nepalese art also developed independently from that of its neighbor to the
south. Tibetan bronzes, many of which are gilded and set with turquoise, are
more baroque in their design and more decorative than Indian examples. Much of
their iconography comes from the more esoteric Tantric Buddhism. Although image
making continued in Tibet and Nepal well into the 19th century, examples made
before 1600 are generally more valuable.  Back to main article: "The Ancient Art of Enlightenment"
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