Provenance Information

Purchased by Mr. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., from David Newman, London in 1980. Mr. Newman is deceased and attempts to determine when and from whom he acquired the object were unsuccessful. Mrs. James W. Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997, signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002, and gave the object to the Art Institute in 2015.

Exhibition Information

"A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection" – The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (August 2 – October 26, 1997).

“Art of Devotion from Gandhara” Columbia, Missouri, Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri (June 8–December 10, 2000).

The object has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in the Alsdorf Galleries of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art, from November 2008 to the present.

Publication Information

Pratapaditya Pal with contributions by Stephen Little, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection (The Art Institute of Chicago in association with Thames and Hudson, New York, 1997) p. 147: 192, p. 315.

Isao Kurita, Gandharan Art II: The World of the Buddha (Tokyo: Takao Watanabe, 1990), fig. 622.

Bulletin of the Art Institute of Chicago (July - September, 1981), pp. 4-7.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Also: Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008. This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, the cumulative facts and circumstances known to the Art Institute of Chicago at the time of the acquisition allowed it to make an informed judgment to acquire the object. This object was acquired by Mr. Alsdorf in 1980 from Mr. David Newman, London. Mr. Newman is deceased and attempts to determine when and from whom he acquired the object were unsuccessful. It has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and since December 2008 as well as included in an exhibition in Missouri. The object has been published various times, including in a major catalogue of South Asian art, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (1997), and in a major compendium on Gandharan art, Kurita, Gandharan Art II: The World of the Buddha (1990). In addition, the acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine sculpture of a guardian figure from the Kushan period which flourished in present day Pakistan during the 2nd/3rd century AD. Second, the acquisition of the object was by gift and the object was promised to the Art Institute prior to 2008. Mrs Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and thereafter signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002.

Provenance Information

Purchased by Mr. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown, but Mr. Alsdorf acquired this object before his death in 1990. Attempts to determine from whom Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object were unsuccessful. Mrs. James W. Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997, signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002, and gave the object to the Art Institute in 2015.

Exhibition Information

"A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection" – The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (August 2 – October 26, 1997).

The object has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in the Alsdorf Galleries of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art, from November 2008 to the present.

Publication Information

Pratapaditya Pal with contributions by Stephen Little, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection (The Art Institute of Chicago in association with Thames and Hudson, New York, 1997) p. 127: 160 and plate p. 308.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Also: Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008. This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, the cumulative facts and circumstances known to the Art Institute of Chicago at the time of the acquisition allowed it to make an informed judgment to acquire the object. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown, but Mr. Alsdorf acquired this object before his death in 1990. Attempts to determine from whom Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object were unsuccessful. The object was exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and since December 2008 as well as published in a major catalogue of South Asian art: A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (1997). In addition, the acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine example of the Graeco-Buddhist art of ancient Gandhara that flourished in present day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Second, the acquisition of the object was by gift and the object was promised to the Art Institute prior to 2008. Mrs Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and thereafter signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002.

Provenance Information

Purchased by Mr. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown. Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object before his death in 1990 and possibly earlier in 1985 from David M. Lindahl, Japan, although attempts to determine this conclusively were unsuccessful. Mrs. James W. Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997, signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002, and gave the object to the Art Institute in 2015.

Exhibition Information

"A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection" – The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (August 2 – October 26, 1997).

The object has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in the Alsdorf Galleries of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art, from December 2008 to the present.

Publication Information

Pratapaditya Pal with contributions by Stephen Little, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection (The Art Institute of Chicago in association with Thames and Hudson, New York, 1997) p. 96: 113 and plate p. 297.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Also: Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008. This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, the cumulative facts and circumstances known to the Art Institute of Chicago at the time of the acquisition allowed it to make an informed judgment to acquire the object. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown. Mr. Alsdorf acquired this object before his death in 1990 and possibly earlier in 1985 from David M. Lindahl, Japan, although attempts to determine this conclusively were unsuccessful. The work was exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and since December 2008 as well as published in a major catalogue of South Asian art: A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (1997). In addition, the acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine example of the Graeco-Buddhist art of ancient Gandhara that flourished in present day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Second, the acquisition of the object was by gift and the object was promised to the Art Institute prior to 2008. Mrs Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and thereafter signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002.

Provenance Information

Purchased by Mr. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois U.S.A. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown; however, Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object before his death on April 24, 1990. Attempts to determine from whom Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object were unsuccessful. Mrs. James W. Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997, signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002, and again in 2010, and donated the object to the Art Institute in 2015.

Exhibition Information

"A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection" – The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (August 2 – October 26, 1997).

“In the Footsteps of Buddha” - Hong Kong, China, University Art Gallery (September 25–December 15, 1998).

The object has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in the Alsdorf Galleries of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art, from September 2008 to the present.

Publication Information

Rajeshwari Ghose, In the Footsteps of the Buddha: An Iconic Journey from India to China, (The University of Hong Kong, 1998) pl. 6.

Pratapaditya Pal with contributions by Stephen Little, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (The Art Institute of Chicago in association with Thames and Hudson, New York, 1997) p. 95: 109 and plate p. 296.
Jerome M. Eisenberg, Indian and South-East Asian Art from the Alsdorf collection, (Minerva, 1997), vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 15-18.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Also: Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008.
This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, the cumulative facts and circumstances known to the Art Institute of Chicago at the time of the acquisition allowed it to make an informed judgment to acquire the object. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown, but Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object before his death in 1990. Attempts to determine from whom Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object were unsuccessful. This object has been included in exhibitions both in the United States and in Hong Kong, China. It has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago since December 2008 and published various times, including in two catalogues of South Asian art: A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (1997) and In the Footsteps of the Buddha: An Iconic Journey from India to China (1998). In addition, the acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a remarkable representation of the emaciated Buddha head from the ancient Gandhara culture that flourished in present day Pakistan. Second, the acquisition of the object was by gift and the object was promised to the Art Institute prior to 2008. Mrs Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and thereafter signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002.

Provenance Information

Purchased by Mr. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown. Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object before his death in 1990 and possibly earlier in 1952 from Ephron Gallery, New York, although attempts to determine this conclusively were unsuccessful. Mrs. James W. Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997, signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002, and gave the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015.

Exhibition Information

"A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection" – The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (August 2 – October 26, 1997).

“Eternal Presence: Handprints and Footprints in Buddhist Art” New York, N.Y., Katonah Museum of Art (October 17, 2004 - January 9, 2005).

The object has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in the Alsdorf Galleries of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art, from September 2008 to the present.

Publication Information

Pratapaditya Pal with contributions by Stephen Little, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (The Art Institute of Chicago in association with Thames and Hudson, New York, 1997) p. 92: 107 and plate p. 295.

John Siudmak, “Gandharan and Western Himalayan Sculpture in the Alsdorf Collection” Orientations, 28, 7 (1997) pp. 42-50.

Kathryn H. Selig Brown, Eternal Presence: Handprints and Footprints in Buddhist Art (Katonah Museum of Art, 2005).

Milo C. Beach, "The Ear Commands the Story: Exploration and Imagination on the Silk Road" in The Silk Road and Beyond: Travel, Trade, and Transformation (The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007), p. 11, fig. 2.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Also: Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008.
This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, the cumulative facts and circumstances known to the Art Institute of Chicago at the time of the acquisition allowed it to make an informed judgment to acquire the object. This object was acquired by Mr. Alsdorf sometime before his death in 1990 and possibly earlier in 1952 from Ephron Gallery, New York. This object has been exhibited in New York as well as at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and since December 2008. It has been published multiple times, including in three catalogues of South Asian art: A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (1997); Eternal Presence: Handprints and Footprints in Buddhist Art (2005), and The Silk Road and Beyond: Travel, Trade, and Transformation (2007). In addition, the acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a remarkable Gandharan relief narrative revealing Greco–Roman influence depicting the Buddha Shakyamuni meditating with the Buddha Dipankara below, from the Kushan period which flourished in present day Pakistan during the 2nd/3rd century AD. It will be one of the very few such relief narratives in the collection. Second, the acquisition of the object was by gift and the object was promised to the Art Institute prior to 2008. Mrs Alsdorf publicly promised the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and thereafter signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2002.

Provenance Information

Purchased by Mr. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown; however, Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object before his death in 1990. Attempts to determine from whom Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object were unsuccessful. Mrs. James W. Alsdorf placed the object on a long-term loan to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996, signed a promised gift agreement for the object in 2010, and gave the object to the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015.

Exhibition Information

The object has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in the Alsdorf Galleries of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art, from September 2008 to the present.

Publication Information

Pratapaditya Pal with contributions by Stephen Little, A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection (The Art Institute of Chicago in association with Thames and Hudson, New York, 1997) p. 221: 292 and plate p. 338.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Also: Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008.
This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, the cumulative facts and circumstances known to the Art Institute of Chicago at the time of the acquisition allowed it to make an informed judgment to acquire the object. The exact date that Mr. Alsdorf purchased this object is unknown, but Mr. Alsdorf acquired this object before his death in 1990. Attempts to determine from whom Mr. Alsdorf acquired the object were unsuccessful. The object has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago since December 2008 and published in a major catalogue of South Asian art: A Collecting Odyssey: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art (1997). In addition, the acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine example of the Graeco-Buddhist art of ancient Gandhara that flourished in present day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Second, the acquisition of the object was by gift and the object was on long term loan prior to 2008. Mrs Alsdorf lent the object to the Art Institute of Chicago from 1996 until its acquisition.

Provenance Information

Walter Shurkin, Albuquerque, after 1966 [mode of acquisition unknown]; John and Berthe Ford, Baltimore Baltimore [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2012, by gift.

Exhibition Information

Desire and Devotion: Art from India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe Ford Collection. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara; Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque; Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham. 2001-2003.

Publication Information

Pal, Pratapaditya. Desire and Devotion : Art From India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe Ford Collection. Baltimore, Md. : Walters Art Museum ; London : Philip Wilson. 2001.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Walters Art Museum and John and Berthe Ford about this gift was signed September 1997.

Provenance Information

Walter Shurkin, Albuquerque, after 1966, [mode of acquisition unknown]; John and Berthe Ford, Baltimore [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; given to Walters Art Museum, 2012.

Exhibition Information

Desire and Devotion: Art from India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe Ford Collection. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Santa Barbara Museum of Art; The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History; Birmingham Museum of Art; Hong Kong Museum of Art, 2001-2004.

Publication Information

Pal, Pratapaditya, ed. American Collectors of Asian Art. Bombay: Marg Publications, 1986.
Pal, Pratapaditya. Desire and Devotion : Art From India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe Ford Collection. Baltimore, Md. : Walters Art Museum ; London : Philip Wilson. 2001.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Walters Art Museum and John and Berthe Ford about this gift was signed September 1997.

Provenance Information

Reputedly in the collection of the family of Elisabeth Maria Coebergh, the Netherlands, since 1980; thence consigned to Moonsail Ltd.; thence in 2009 to John Eskenazi, Ltd., London; thence acquired by Dallas Museum of Art (accession date: August 23, 2010).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: As of February 23 2010, not listed with Art Loss Register.

Exhibition Information

DMA, October 2010 through the present.

Publication Information

Bromberg, Anne R. The Arts of India, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas at the Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Provenance is reputedly clear to the 1980s. This piece has been exhibited at the DMA since October 2010. This is a superb, and rare, example of later Gandharan art from the Hadda region, a center of a distinctly beautiful school of Gandharan sculpture from the 4th to 6th centuries AD. The intense vitality of the bodhisattva’s pose is unusual among the more severe, upright, treatment of the figure common in Gandharan art, which is exemplified in other sculptures on display in the DMA's galleries. Gandharan pieces significantly illustrate the links between the arts of cultures represented in the Museum’s galleries of ancient Mediterranean and south Asian art.