Resource Spotlight | Werner Forman Archive | Java

Nandi, the bull mount of Shiva, at the temple of the Lara Jonggrang complex. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

Werner Forman Archive

Werner Forman's life work was devoted to documenting in photographs the history, art, religion and customs of the great civilizations and tribal societies of the past. The archive has extensive collections of photographs of archaeological sites, architecture, evocative landscapes and art from the great museum and private collections of the world.

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The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole com… — The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole complex takes the form of the Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c.900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole com… — The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole complex takes the form of the Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c.900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

One of the huge stone raksasa demons that protected the temple from evil spirits. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: 9th - 10th C. Place of Origin: Singosari. Material Size: Stone. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The reliefs on the terraces of Borobudur depict scenes from the life of Buddha. The Palace of Queen Maya. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Buddhist. Date/Period: 8th C. Place of Origin: Central Java. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The reliefs on the terraces of Borobudur depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. This detail illustrates a sailing ship with tripod mast & outrigger which is characteristic of those which sailed Indonesian waters at that time. Country of Orig… — The reliefs on the terraces of Borobudur depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. This detail illustrates a sailing ship with tripod mast & outrigger which is characteristic of those which sailed Indonesian waters at that time. Country of Origin: Indonesia Culture: Buddhist. Date/Period: 8th C. Place of Origin: Central Java. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The reliefs on the terraces of Borobudur depict scenes from the life of Buddha. On her way to Lumbini Grove, Queen Maya, the Buddha's future mother, dreamt that a brilliant white elephant with six tusks entered her womb. The "Dream of Maya" marks th… — The reliefs on the terraces of Borobudur depict scenes from the life of Buddha. On her way to Lumbini Grove, Queen Maya, the Buddha's future mother, dreamt that a brilliant white elephant with six tusks entered her womb. The "Dream of Maya" marks the true conception of the Buddha. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Buddhist. Date/Period: 8th C. Place of Origin: Central Java. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

A statue of the seated Buddha in Candi Mendut, one of the several temples associated with Borobudur. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Buddhist. Date/Period: 8th C. Place of Origin: Central Java. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The reliefs, on the temples of the Lara Jonggrang complex, portray various deities or scenes taken from the great Hindu classics and especially the Ramayana. Statue in a courtyard. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c.9… — The reliefs, on the temples of the Lara Jonggrang complex, portray various deities or scenes taken from the great Hindu classics and especially the Ramayana. Statue in a courtyard. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c.900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole com… — The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole complex takes the form of the Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c.900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The circular terraces, Borobudur. Each stupa houses a figure of the Dhyani-Buddha Vajrasattva in the attitude of preaching. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Buddhist. Date/Period: 8th C. Place of Origin: Central Java. Credit Line: Werner Forma… — The circular terraces, Borobudur. Each stupa houses a figure of the Dhyani-Buddha Vajrasattva in the attitude of preaching. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Buddhist. Date/Period: 8th C. Place of Origin: Central Java. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

Nandi, the bull mount of Shiva, at the temple of the Lara Jonggrang complex. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

View of Candi Sukuh. It was a sacred place for the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and fertility cults. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 1437 AD, Majapahit Kingdom. Place of Origin: Central Java, Western slopes of Mo… — View of Candi Sukuh. It was a sacred place for the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and fertility cults. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 1437 AD, Majapahit Kingdom. Place of Origin: Central Java, Western slopes of Mount Lawu. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

Relief from Candi Sukuh, a sacred place for the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and fertility cults. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 1437 AD, Majapahit Kingdom. Place of Origin: Central Java, Western slopes of Mount… — Relief from Candi Sukuh, a sacred place for the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and fertility cults. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 1437 AD, Majapahit Kingdom. Place of Origin: Central Java, Western slopes of Mount Lawu. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole com… — The temple complex at Lara Jonggrang consists of three main sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and three minor ones dedicated to particular forms of Shiva and Shiva's bull mount, Nandi. Originally there were 232 temples. The whole complex takes the form of the Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain. Country of Origin: Java, Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c.900-930 AD. Place of Origin: Prambanan. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

Candi Sukuh was a sacred place for the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and fertility cults. Relief of yoni and lingham on the floor of the entrance to the temple. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 1437 AD, Majapahit K… — Candi Sukuh was a sacred place for the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and fertility cults. Relief of yoni and lingham on the floor of the entrance to the temple. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Hindu. Date/Period: c 1437 AD, Majapahit Kingdom. Place of Origin: Central Java, Western slopes of Mount Lawu.

Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, … — Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, paint. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection.

A detail of the design on a batik sarong which incorporates herons and other birds, flowers and water plants. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1920. Place of Origin: north coast of Java. Material Size: Glazed cotton. C… — A detail of the design on a batik sarong which incorporates herons and other birds, flowers and water plants. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1920. Place of Origin: north coast of Java. Material Size: Glazed cotton. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/ British Museum, London.

Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, … — Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, paint. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection.

Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, … — Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, paint. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection.

A mask, representing a diseased or deformed person, used in wayang wong performances of the Hindu epics, especially the Ramayana. Wayang wong is still performed but is today less popular than shadow puppet wayang theatre. Country of Origin: Indonesi… — A mask, representing a diseased or deformed person, used in wayang wong performances of the Hindu epics, especially the Ramayana. Wayang wong is still performed but is today less popular than shadow puppet wayang theatre. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: late 19th - 20th C. Place of Origin: Yogjakarta, Java. Material Size: Wood, paint, fabric, metal. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

A mask used in wayang wong performances of the Hindu epics, especially the Ramayana. Wayang wong is still performed but is today less popular than shadow puppet wayang theatre. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: late 19th … — A mask used in wayang wong performances of the Hindu epics, especially the Ramayana. Wayang wong is still performed but is today less popular than shadow puppet wayang theatre. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: late 19th - 20th C. Place of Origin: Yogjakarta, Java. Material Size: Wood, paint, fabric, metal. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Palace Museum, Yogjakarta.

Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, … — Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, paint. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection.

A mask, representing a diseased or deformed person, used in wayang wong performances of the Hindu epics, especially the Ramayana. Wayang wong is still performed but is today less popular than shadow puppet wayang theatre. Country of Origin: Indonesi… — A mask, representing a diseased or deformed person, used in wayang wong performances of the Hindu epics, especially the Ramayana. Wayang wong is still performed but is today less popular than shadow puppet wayang theatre. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: late 19th - 20th C. Place of Origin: Yogjakarta, Java. Material Size: Wood, paint, fabric, metal. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive.

Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, … — Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, paint. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection.

Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, … — Wayang kulit shadow puppet used in popular all-night performances, usually based on ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Country of Origin: Indonesia. Culture: Javanese. Date/Period: c.1900. Place of Origin: Java. Material Size: Leather, wood, paint. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection.

News 3Editorial TeamJuly 25, 2019Art of the Ancestors, Steven G. Alpert, Asian Art, Island Southeast Asian Art, Oceanic Art, Asiatica, Ethnographica, Ethnographic Art, Art Collection, Fine Art, Primitive Art, Indonesian Art, Tribal Art, Eyes of the Ancestors, Dr. Reimar Schefold