Three seated luohans

Three seated luohans

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Not all images of luohans depict them as exotic, superhuman beings. This sculpture comes from a tradition of realistic luohan representation, in which the figures are presented as familiar old monks with Chinese features. Sitting on roughly hewn rocks, the three luohans engage in study and meditation; they were probably once part of a larger tableau.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.