The iconography of Avalokiteśvara in Java.

The iconography of Avalokiteśvara in Java.
Ingrid Sofia Sundstrom

Summary

Through the lens of the Avalokiteśvara images made in Java, this book examines Javanese art during its Hindu-Buddhist period. The surviving images of the Bodhisattva illustrate that the local metal and stone workers had a broad iconographic knowledge and also developed their own iconography. The first Avalokiteśvara images show a cultural connection with the Buddhist caves of Maharashtra. The next stage in the development of the artistic language showed a stylistic link with North-East India, before a purely Javanese style was developed and standardised.

Comparing the Avalokiteśvara images with those found in the surrounding areas shows that Java adopted different form of iconography for the Bodhisattva indicating that different forms of Avalokiteśvara were worshipped in Java. These images also show that iconographic and stylistic elements remained within the artistic language despite not being used, but were revitalised decades or even centuries later. The final Avalokiteśvara images from the end of the thirteenth century show him in this Amoghapāśa Lokeśvara form with a twelve-figure retinue, but the iconography from the early Central Javanese period remains.

Author

Ingrid Sofia Sundstrom

PhD defended at

LIAS, University of Leiden

Specialisation

Humanities

Region

Maritime Asia
Indonesia

Theme

Religion
Art and Culture