Compiled by Palace Museum and Zhiguan Museum of Fine Art.

This book, accompanies the landmark exhibition jointly presented by the Palace Museum and the Zhiguan Museum of Fine Arts, bringing together 112 masterpieces of Buddhist sculpture. Meticulously selected from the holdings of these two institutions and distinguished private collections, the exhibition focuses on exquisite buddhist statues whose origins span the ancient Buddhist world—from Northwestern, Central, and Northeastern India, through Nepal, and into the heart of Tibet. 

Charting a course from the 6th to the 15th century, the collection vividly illustrates the origins and evolution of Tibetan Buddhist art, revealing a tradition of astonishing diversity and artistic brilliance. To navigate this rich history, the exhibition is structured around the two dominant stylistic spheres of Tibetan art: that of Western Tibet and that of Central Tibet.

The first section, "From Northwestern India to Western Tibet," traces the artistic currents along the Silk Road. Here, in ancient Northwestern India, a confluence of cultures—Hellenistic, West Asian, Central Asian, and Indian—fused to create a unique Buddhist aesthetic, which would later travel eastward to shape the distinctive artistic identity of Western Tibet.

The journey continues in the second section, "From India and Nepal to Central Tibet," which explores the profound and enduring influences that flowed from Northeastern India and, most significantly, Nepal. The Nepalese aesthetic, in particular, left an indelible mark, contributing to a flourishing of sacred art in Central Tibet that resonates through the centuries.

Through these powerful sculptures of masters and deities, we witness not only the spiritual transmission of Buddhism but also the extraordinary skill of the artists. Their masterful realism and creative vision offer us a profound window into the essence of Tibetan Buddhist art, enriching our understanding of the broader, multi-ethnic tapestry of Chinese artistic history.

Fully illustrated, text in Chinese and English.

2019, Beijing, Forbidden City Publishing House, hardcover in a slipcase, light edge wear on the case, book is in a good condition.