Monk Holding a Lotus

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This wall painting was part of a composition that embellished the interior of a temple cut into the soft rock of the Kizil cliffs. The monk, shown in the pious act of offering a flower, was probably placed near a Parinirvana (death of the Buddha) image. Small details such as his shirt and outer robe provide a rare glimpse of the appearance of a member of the Buddhist community at the time.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art