Formalist analysis:

Vishnu

Cambodia, Angkor Period, C. 950

Background: The Vishnu is one of the three gods that form the Hindu Trinity. He is the preserver of the Universe. As the imbodiment of truth and justice, the cult of Vishnu is the embodiment of truth and justice.  

I chose this Vishnu sculpture of many located in the Norton Simon Museum because I believed it stood out from the rest. Created from sandstone around period C. 950, this monumental hand carved Vishnu was shiny and acted as a focal point in the museum exhibit room. Doing more research, this sculpture was one of the few found that were exquisitely carved, distinguished from other Khmer objects in the collection by its highly polished surface. In person, it almost illuminates the objects around it.