The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters are closed December 25 for Christmas.

Why this Buddhist Monk statue defies traditional depictions of religious figures

"It looks like someone you might know, someone you might talk to."

"It looks like someone you might know, someone you might talk to."

Curator Denise Leidy on a life-size sculpture of an arhat (or luohan, as they are known in China).

Throughout 2013, The Met invited curators from across the Museum to each talk about one artwork that changed the way they see the world.

Photography by Bruce J. Schwarz

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Contributors

Denise Patry Leidy
Curator, Department of Asian Art

A close-up detail of a painted face rendered in muted green, blue, and gray tones.
"In this portrait of her contemporary, Helene Schjerfbeck has revealed a moment of truth, repelled and secreted away."
Leena Krohn
December 18
Various mannequins standing up right wearing special designed suits.
Video
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Arhat (Luohan), Stoneware with three-color glaze, China
China
ca. 1000