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Pursuing Perfection: The Freer Gallery of Art, a National Treasure of Asian Art

by Jasmine
written by Jasmine

Perfection in Art: The Freer Gallery of Art

Freer’s Pursuit of Perfection

Charles Lang Freer, an American connoisseur, was relentlessly driven by the pursuit of perfection in art. This obsession guided his meticulous assembly of a remarkable collection of Asian and American art. Freer believed that an aesthetic spirit transcended time and geography, connecting diverse objects into a harmonious whole.

The Freer Gallery of Art

In 1904, Freer offered his collection to the Smithsonian Institution. Initially hesitant, the Smithsonian eventually accepted Freer’s gift, establishing its first art museum in 1906. Freer spent the rest of his life enhancing the collection, seeking a physical setting that would complement the beauty and harmony of the objects.

Italian Renaissance Architecture and the Freer Gallery

Freer commissioned architect Charles Platt to design an Italian Renaissance-style building to house his collection. The resulting granite structure, adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle, opened as the Freer Gallery of Art in 1923. A major renovation in the 1990s preserved its original beauty.

Freer’s Restrictions and Their Evolution

Freer initially imposed strict restrictions on his gift, prohibiting growth, loans, or the display of external objects. However, he later allowed additions to the Asian portion of the collection. Freer remained steadfast in his resistance to modernist aesthetics, which he viewed as incompatible with his ideal of perfection.

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

In 1987, the Smithsonian opened the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, a second museum of Asian art linked to the Freer. Unlike the Freer, the Sackler had no restrictions on lending or exhibiting objects. The two museums complemented each other, each with its own strengths.

Julian Raby and the Future of Asian Art

In May, Julian Raby became the new director of the Freer and Sackler Galleries. With his diverse experience as a scholar, curator, and publisher, Raby aims to expand the audience for Asian art. He emphasizes the importance of research, exhibitions, and accessibility to the American public.

The National Museum of Asian Art

Together, the Freer and Sackler Galleries form the national museum of Asian art. Despite the Sackler’s more flexible lending policy, a significant portion of the Freer’s collection remains permanently housed in its ideal setting.

Asian Art in the Freer Gallery

The Freer Gallery’s Asian holdings have grown substantially since Freer’s death. Curators and scholars have meticulously researched and acquired new objects, ensuring their seamless integration with the original collection. The gallery’s diverse collection includes bronzes, jades, screens, scrolls, ceramics, paintings, and metalwork.

Freer’s Legacy

Freer’s unwavering belief in perfection left an enduring mark on the world of Asian art. His collection and the Freer Gallery of Art continue to inspire and educate visitors, showcasing the beauty, harmony, and cultural connections that transcend time and geography.

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Asian Art

A Centuries-Old Korean Buddhist Masterpiece: Unveiling ‘Sacred Dedication’

by Zuzana
written by Zuzana

A Rare and Ancient Korean Buddhist Masterpiece Unveiled

A Centuries-Old Treasure

A remarkable Korean Buddhist sculpture, dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), has gone on display at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. This exquisite gilded wooden figure of Gwaneum, the bodhisattva of compassion, is the oldest surviving sculpture of its kind in Korea.

The Compassionate Bodhisattva

Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who choose to remain connected to the material world to help humanity. Gwaneum, also known as Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit, is the most popular bodhisattva in East Asia. People often turn to Gwaneum for care, kindness, and protection.

Exceptional Craftsmanship

The Goryeo period was a time of great artistic achievement in Korea. The Gwaneum sculpture at the Sackler Gallery is a testament to the skill and artistry of the era’s woodcarvers and gilders. The figure stands two feet tall and is constructed of 15 pieces of fir, held together by staples and nails. It wears an elaborate metal crown and features a crystal urna on its forehead, representing the third eye or vision into the divine world.

Sacred Dedication

When the Gwaneum sculpture was completed in the 13th century, it was filled with sacred texts and symbolic objects, both in its head and body. This act of dedication gave the sculpture spiritual life for believers. The materials transformed it from a mere piece of carved wood into an embodiment of divine presence.

Historical Context

Buddhism reached Korea in the fourth century and became widely practiced by the time the Gwaneum sculpture was created. The sculpture’s rich materials and elaborate craftsmanship suggest that it was commissioned by a wealthy patron, likely a member of the royal court.

During the Goryeo period, Korea faced invasions and occupations, which led to the destruction of much of its material culture, including Buddhist sculptures. The survival of this Gwaneum sculpture is a testament to its enduring significance for the Korean people.

Contemporary Significance

The exhibition of the Gwaneum sculpture at the Sackler Gallery is not only a chance to admire a rare work of art but also an opportunity to learn about the history and significance of Buddhism in Korea. The sculpture is complemented by a scroll from the Freer|Sackler collection, depicting Gwaneum in its dwelling place on the rocks above the sea’s waves.

The juxtaposition of these two depictions of Gwaneum, made within a century of each other, provides visitors with a unique glimpse into the enduring appeal and transformative power of this compassionate bodhisattva.

Additional Highlights

  • Recent research, including X-rays and material analysis, has revealed that the sculpture contains contents from different time periods, indicating that it was opened up and re-dedicated at least once.

  • A 3D scan of the sculpture allows viewers to visualize its construction and the original placement of the dedication materials.

  • In conjunction with the exhibition, Korean Buddhist monks will demonstrate a contemporary dedication ritual, providing visitors with insights into the living traditions of Buddhism.

“Sacred Dedication: A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece” is on view at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art through March 22, 2020.

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