The thousand-year artistic legacy of Cambodia includes some of the world's mostbeautiful works of art and architecture. This richly illustrated volume, published to coincide with an exhibition organized by the National Gallery of Art and the Réunion des Musées Nationnaux, examines the powerful and original Khmer culture that flourished on the mainland of Southeast Asia between 600 and 1600 A.D. Centered on the northern shores of Cambodia's Great Lake, the Tonle Sap, and extending westward into eastern Thailand, the civilization reached its apogee in the early twelfth century with the construction of the Temple of Angkor. Embracing both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, the sculpture ranges from monumental works in sandstone representing gods and goddesses, guardians, female dancers, and legendary creatures, to refined ritual and ceremonial bronzes. Essays by an international group of scholars together with narrative discussions of each of the works illustrated provide a fascinating introduction to a culture that is still relatively unknown.

A translation of Professor Boisselier's original work. This monograph discusses twenty-four sculptures representative of Khmer art. Includes brief chapters on the history and religions of Cambodia as background for understanding the discussion of the statuary itself, as well as beautiful black-and-white reproductions and a glossary.

Angkor, like Borobudur in Indonesia or Vat Phra Kaeo in Thailand, is one of the most important shrines of Buddhist art in all Asia. Angkor is among the treasures of Humanity's Heritage, under the protection of UNESCO. Angkor's temple, built in one of the most populous cities of the 11th century, is a prime example of religious art, but its ""bas reliefs"" also depict events in the lives of kings and their courts, wars and scenes from the everyday life of the common people. Between the 7th and 14th centuries, Khmer art, primarily sculpture, is characterized by perfection of line and monumental size. Profoundly influenced by Indian Art, it is nonetheless original and of obvious refinement. Long out of print, this volume is inspired, in part, by a revival of interest in Cambodian art. It presents the architectural treasures and splendid sculptures of a civilization that drew on Indian and Chinese influences to create a uniquely Cambodian art.