Simian Mother and Child
by Unknown Artist, 1201
Artwork Details
Details
- Year
- 1201
- Medium
- Andesite
- Size
- 26.1 × 26.7 × 25.4 cm (10 1/4 × 10 1/2 × 10 in.)
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This 13th-century andesite sculpture from Central Java shows a monkey mother tenderly holding her infant. Javanese sculptors demonstrated equal skill with sacred and secular subjects, and animal themes appeared frequently in temple contexts. Monkeys held particular significance in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions: in the Hindu Ramayana epic, the monkey god Hanuman plays a heroic role, and monkey imagery carried associations with loyalty, devotion, and cleverness.
The piece was carved from andesite, the volcanic rock that Java's geology made abundant and that served as the primary material for temple construction throughout the island. At about 10 by 9 inches, the sculpture's intimate scale captures the maternal bond with naturalistic observation. It likely served as architectural decoration on a temple complex. It's at the Art Institute of Chicago, a gift from Marilynn B. Alsdorf.
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About Simian Mother and Child
Animals held both symbolic and decorative significance in Javanese temple art. Monkeys appear in the Ramayana epic (the heroic Hanuman) and carried associations with loyalty, devotion, and cleverness. Naturalistic animal carvings also demonstrated the sculptor's observational skill.
Central Java continued its Hindu-Buddhist artistic traditions with sophisticated temple complexes. Sculptors created works depicting deities, mythological scenes, and naturalistic subjects in andesite, the volcanic stone abundant across the island.
A fine-grained volcanic rock abundant in Java due to the island's volcanic geology. It was durable enough for outdoor temple installations yet workable enough for detailed carving. The famous Borobudur temple is built entirely of andesite.
At the Art Institute of Chicago. About 10 by 9 inches, a gift from Marilynn B. Alsdorf.
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