Science and art come together at the Smithsonian`s Sackler Gallery
(Artdaily.org)

The only existing sixth- and seventh-century Chinese lacquer Buddha sculptures have come together for the first time in an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. “Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha” is on view Dec. 9–June 10, 2018. Modern technology and scientific analysis have revealed how these extremely rare life-sized Chinese Buddha sculptures were created and what they are made of. These new insights offer a deeper historical understanding of the three Buddha sculptures: one from the Freer Gallery of Art, one from the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and one from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibition explores the methods and ancient process of making sculptures in lacquer, a resin from native trees of northeast Asia. Highlighting the impact science has on understanding art, “Secrets of the