Walters Art Museum: Asian Collection

Thus far we traversed nearly the full extent of the original building and 1974 annex which comprise the majority of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.  Now we are going to take a detour down a staircase to the Asian Art collection, because it will let us entered the newly renovated Mount Vernon mansion that is also property belonging to the museum and I have never seen it.  Truth be told, exploring this historic home was the reason I chose to make the trip.

Having seen the size of the Americas Collection, I was not surprised to find at the end of the stairs a couple of small galleries.  I realized immediately that I have never been to this part of the museum before and settled in to explore the objects in these two small galleries.  What I didn't realize if that just beyond them is an amazing continuation of this collection that took me by surprise in a wonderful way!  How on earth had I missed this in the past?  Without further ado, some of the highlights, including wide shots of the amazing spaces.

Pagoda, 1915

Japanese

Guanyin (Savior of Those in Distress)

Chinese

circa 1350 - 1425

Buddhist Shrine

Thailand

19th Century

detail of Buddhist Shrine

 Turning away from the first two galleries and entering a portal I was like, "wow!  I've never seen this before." 

Sarasvati (India's Beloved Goddess)

Indian

10th-11th Centuries

Musical Mode, possibly Kanara Putra

Indian

circa 1700

Ganesha

Indian

circa 1000 - 1050

Chakra Purusha

Indian

5th - 6th Centuries

 I turned a corner and glanced at this statue.  Then did a double take.  What on earth is he holding?  Oh!  No.  No way!  What the fuck?  WAY!   And how says Art Museums are boring?!

Ascetic Deity

Indian

10th - 11th Centuries

And yes, we've all heard it said, "The size of your Nirvana doesn't matter, it's what you do with your enlightenment".  But I think this chap might have a worthy counter-argument to offer!