The British Museum showcases the oldest dated Buddha image, a small gold reliquary from around AD 70-100, in its summer exhibition that highlights Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions. The exhibition, featuring over 180 artifacts, examines how these religions spread across ancient India, utilizing innovative lighting to create an ethereal effect. It includes educational elements like color-coded maps for understanding stone carvings, and it highlights the historical context of European excavations. This comprehensive display emphasizes the evolution of Buddhist representation and reflects on art preservation challenges over centuries.
The exhibition offers a journey through the devotional art of each religion, exploring ancient nature spirits and delving into the core iconography of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
It's a surprise to learn that for a long time the Buddha was not shown as a human, but as an abstract concept, which the exhibition thoughtfully illustrates.
Collection
[
|
...
]