The Northern Qi Dynasty was a period of turbulence when the Buddhist apocalypse was believed to be imminent. A whole new range of styles of sculpture characterize sculptural art of this period, with the proliferation of fresh Indian influences, including the Gupta School, which prevailed at this time in India. The robe of the present figure with its simple “wet style” draperies clinging to the body outlines resulted from this exchange, and combines with the serenity of the face to produce a vision of ethereal calm.

Compare with several images of Buddha included in the exhibition of Buddhist Sculptures, Hong Kong, 2001, catalogue nos. 22, 23, 27 through 29, all with comparable styles of drapery treatment.