Buddhism, its philosophical concepts, and the manner it influenced various cultures across countries has been documented through art.
Now, global auctioneer Sotheby's traces the historical development and transformation of Buddhist art as it travelled throughout Asia from the 2nd century through the 21st century.
Comprising paintings and sculptures from ancient regions of Gandhara, Nepal, Tibet, Korea, China and Japan, the exhibition "Footsteps of the Buddha: Masterworks from across the Buddhist World", is being shown in New York from September 3 to September 23.
"This exhibition provides collectors and connoisseurs with a unique perspective on a variety of cultures through the prism of Buddhism. The 31 pieces in this exhibition display the distinct artistic heritages and aesthetics of their countries of origin, but at the same time, they share a common history and iconography," Jacqueline Dennis, Specialist, Indian and Southeast Asian Art, Sotheby's said in a statement.
"They express Buddhist philosophical concepts, show how Buddhism influenced the culture of countries it penetrated, and how those countries made Buddhism their own. These works of art also show how Buddhist art transformed through space and time, and continues to be a vital force in Asia today," she said.
A third or fourth century grey schist standing Bodhisattva in the Gandharan style of sculpture has been pegged as a major highlight of the exhibition.
