God Shiva as the Supreme Teacher (Dakshinamurti)

This granite sculpture from 10th-century South India depicts Shiva as Dakshinamurti, the supreme teacher who transmits divine knowledge and spiritual wisdom. The name means "facing south," and images of this form traditionally occupied the south wall of Hindu temple shrines. The piece comes from Kodumbalur in Tamil Nadu, home to the Moovar Kovil (Three Temples) complex built in the 9th-10th century. At 53 inches tall, it's a major temple commission.

The Chola dynasty ruled much of South India from the 9th-13th centuries, producing one of the greatest periods of Tamil artistic achievement. Art historians consider the Kodumbalur sculptures important for understanding how Chola styles evolved before reaching their peak in later monumental temples. The refined ornamentation and balanced composition show the tradition in an early, experimental state. The sculpture was acquired through the Kate S. Buckingham Fund and is at the Art Institute of Chicago.