Chongqing Temple Hall of the Three Great Bodhisattvas: Eighteen Arhats

CHINA, Shanxi, Changzhi; Northern Song dynasty

These life-size statues are along the side-walls of the Hall of the Three Great Bodhisattvas. They vary greatly in appearance: some are young, while others are middle-aged or old; some look Chinese, while others have other ethnic origins. They all wear monastic robes and some cover both shoulders, while others cover only the left shoulder. There is a great variation in their facial characteristics: some have wrinkles, while others have smooth skin; some are clean-shaven, while others are bearded; some have thin, hollowed cheeks, while others have rounded cheeks. The artist has shown great skill and creativity in depicting the individual character of each Arhat.