Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Take a moment to learn more about this preparatory drawing of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. Listen to Najiba Choudhury, Assistant Information Specialist & Provenance Researcher, as she shares who made this monumental drawing, for what purpose, and how it came to be part of our museum's collection.
Get a closer look at the object on our site: https://asia.si.edu/object/S1998.1/
To learn more about this artwork, explore the following resources:
"Rising to the Occasion" exhibition:
https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/rising-to-the-occasion/
"Encountering the Buddha" exhibition: https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/encountering-the-buddha-art-and-practice-across-asia/
Mary Slusser’s (1918 - 2017) Freer and Sackler Staff Biography: https://asia.si.edu/about/contact/staff/mary-slusser/
Mary Slusser’s article on Kuber Singh Shakya and how the drawing was used: asianart.com/articles/kubersingh/index.html#21u
SmartHistory video on repousse technique: youtube.com/watch?v=6Og8EvH_2mY&t=161s
Since the recording of this video, the artists Rudra Raj Shakya and his son, Rajkumar Shakya passed away due to complications from COVID-19. We remember them for their contribution to maintaining the great Nepalese tradition of metal-casting, as well as for their generosity to the museum.
Take a moment to learn more about this preparatory drawing of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. Listen to Najiba Choudhury, Assistant Information Specialist & Provenance Researcher, as she shares who made this monumental drawing, for what purpose, and how it came to be part of our museum's collection.
Get a closer look at the object on our site: https://asia.si.edu/object/S1998.1/
To learn more about this artwork, explore the following resources:
"Rising to the Occasion" exhibition:
https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/rising-to-the-occasion/
"Encountering the Buddha" exhibition: https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/encountering-the-buddha-art-and-practice-across-asia/
Mary Slusser’s (1918 - 2017) Freer and Sackler Staff Biography: https://asia.si.edu/about/contact/staff/mary-slusser/
Mary Slusser’s article on Kuber Singh Shakya and how the drawing was used: asianart.com/articles/kubersingh/index.html#21u
SmartHistory video on repousse technique: youtube.com/watch?v=6Og8EvH_2mY&t=161s
Since the recording of this video, the artists Rudra Raj Shakya and his son, Rajkumar Shakya passed away due to complications from COVID-19. We remember them for their contribution to maintaining the great Nepalese tradition of metal-casting, as well as for their generosity to the museum.
