Thangka painting mit colors and gold on textile. Tibet, 19th cent.
The historical Buddha Gautama Shakyamuni is seated large in the center before a double radiating nimbus on a lotus. He holds his right hand in the well-known gesture of calling the earth goddess Bhumi, the bhumisparsha mudra. Noteworthy in this thangka especially rich in scenic action, are the intricately written texts, with gold, about all events of Buddhas past life. Here cannot be elaborated in all the bounteous details. Most distinct, perhaps, is the white elephant right of the green nimbus of Buddha. It is the story of Anathapindika, who heard Buddhas sermon and thus decided to found a monastery. The demon Raktaksa tried to hinder this by conjouring up a lake on the site. Thereupon, the renowned Buddha disciple Shariputra invoked an elephant, which appeared to drain all the water in the lake with his trunk. Then a seven-headed snake devoured the garuda that was summoned ... So seemingly peaceful scenes can often have a dramatic background. The climax of this gripping action is revealed in the brocade mounting – an extraordinary, effectively designed dragon head in the lowest section! The painting in average good condition, brocade shows brittleness through aging.
PICTURE 90 x 55 CM, TOTAL 158 x 88 CM
From a German collection
佛尊一生繪像。設色布本,西藏,19世紀。高90厘米,寬55厘米。