The ineffable beauty of the East

The highlight of Qingzhou Museum is undoubtedly the Buddhist statues unearthed from Longxing Temple. Renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, millennium-spanning history, and unique artistic style, these statues are hailed as masterpieces that rewrote the history of Eastern art. The "Qingzhou Smile" has become one of the museum's iconic cultural symbols, referring specifically to the distinctive artistic characteristics displayed by the Longxing Temple Buddhist statue collection. Among Qingzhou's Longxing Temple statues, those from the Northern Qi Dynasty period are most representative, celebrated for their "Cao's water-drenched robes" style. This technique is primarily manifested in the flowing, minimalist drapery carvings that cling closely to the body, blending Gupta art from ancient India with traditional Chinese aesthetic elements. Buddhism was introduced to central China during the early Eastern Han Dynasty. By the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, stone-carved statues became widespread. While imperial-sponsored cave sculptures like those at Yungang and Longmen gained prominence, the folk statue tradition centered in Qingzhou flourished exceptionally. Qingzhou statues represent the most exquisite Buddhist relics in eastern China. With their perfectly proportioned forms, ethereally thin garments, and serenely transcendent expressions, they create an otherworldly beauty that remains profoundly human. Handan, Hebei