This is a gorgeous large Apsala Goddes oil painting from Cambodia. I brought it back with me from my last trip there. The Apsala goddes is know as one of the many heavenly nymphs that came down from the heavens in the middle of the night to keep the king company although he already had numerous concubines. She is carved in many of the walls that form the countless temples and shrines in the Ankor Wat complex around Siem Reap. I cant help thinking of the line out of Mel Brook's History Of The World Part 1 where he says "It's good to be the King".
Some history of the Ankor Wat Temple:
The Ankor period began in 802 A.D when King Jayavarman the second returned from being exiled to Java and reclaimed his throne. He founded his capital the city of Ankor which flourished and 200 years later under King Suryavarman the second Ankor Wat was contructed as his burial shrine. 50,000 men worked the main temple to completion in 37 years. However future rulers continued building countless other smaller temples and monuments. Including the other two large temples of Ankor Tom and Bayon ( temple of a hundred Buddha heads ).
Incidentally two factors that gave rise to such a powerful civilization at the time was an effective political system and an advanced irrigation system to control water from the Mekong river for agriculture. An extensive road system extended up to modern day Laos, across into Thailand and down into southern Vietnam.
Both Buddhism and Hinduism had influence in Khmer society. Hinduism played an important role in Khmer civilization as the Ankor Monarchs adopted as deva-raja, or “god-king” by which the king was revered as an incarnation of the god Shiva. Most temples of Ankor are dedicated to either Shiva or Vishnu. Mahayana Buddhism also played a role in the influence of the society.
About five centuries ago the Khmer Ankor civilization vanished with an invasion from Thailand and when it is believed that the capital was relocated to Pnom Penn.
The city remained lost in the jungle until it was rediscover in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mouhot who was exploring the Cambodian jungles. Even most locals believed the temple city was a myth.
Ankor Wat stands as one of mankind’s greatest achievements.
I know whoever gets this painting will treasure it. If you have been to the temple it will be a reminder of its magnificence and beauty. If you have not been there it will inspire you to go.
No noticeable flaws
Size: 27.6" tall and 12" wide ( 70.1 cm tall and 30.5 cm wide )
This painting will be shipped in a hard tube unframed
Some history of the Ankor Wat Temple:
The Ankor period began in 802 A.D when King Jayavarman the second returned from being exiled to Java and reclaimed his throne. He founded his capital the city of Ankor which flourished and 200 years later under King Suryavarman the second Ankor Wat was contructed as his burial shrine. 50,000 men worked the main temple to completion in 37 years. However future rulers continued building countless other smaller temples and monuments. Including the other two large temples of Ankor Tom and Bayon ( temple of a hundred Buddha heads ).
Incidentally two factors that gave rise to such a powerful civilization at the time was an effective political system and an advanced irrigation system to control water from the Mekong river for agriculture. An extensive road system extended up to modern day Laos, across into Thailand and down into southern Vietnam.
Both Buddhism and Hinduism had influence in Khmer society. Hinduism played an important role in Khmer civilization as the Ankor Monarchs adopted as deva-raja, or “god-king” by which the king was revered as an incarnation of the god Shiva. Most temples of Ankor are dedicated to either Shiva or Vishnu. Mahayana Buddhism also played a role in the influence of the society.
About five centuries ago the Khmer Ankor civilization vanished with an invasion from Thailand and when it is believed that the capital was relocated to Pnom Penn.
The city remained lost in the jungle until it was rediscover in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mouhot who was exploring the Cambodian jungles. Even most locals believed the temple city was a myth.
Ankor Wat stands as one of mankind’s greatest achievements.
I know whoever gets this painting will treasure it. If you have been to the temple it will be a reminder of its magnificence and beauty. If you have not been there it will inspire you to go.
No noticeable flaws
Size: 27.6" tall and 12" wide ( 70.1 cm tall and 30.5 cm wide )
This painting will be shipped in a hard tube unframed
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