Amitabha
Painting
1800-1850 (made)
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The painting depicts Amitabha Buddha as the central figure flanked by Buddha’s two early disciples (Ananda and Mahakasyapa), and Buddha's attendants (Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta) with auspicious spirits radiating in five colours in the background. Amitabha sits in a crossed-legged position on the blue lotus pedestal which blossomed from the ground, holds the Vitarka mudra (hand position), and the nimbus around his head and body are highlighted in gold colour. The standing Avalokitesvara carries a kundika and has the nirmana-buddha featured in his crown. The standing Mahasthamaprapta holds a blue lotus and a flask is expressed in his crown. The main colour takes on dark green and reddish hue, partly tinged with navy and yellow tones. Amitabha paintings grew longer in width and featured an increasing number of characters in the late 19th century. It is assumed that this Amitabha painting is from the early 19th century, given the relatively small number of figures, Amitabha’s high ushnisha, and the Bodhisattvas’ calm face and old-style flower crown.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Amitabha (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Ink, rice paste colours and metallic pigments on silk |
| Brief description | Pap, Korea, paintings and drawings |
| Physical description | The painting was probably originally a hanging scroll which was at some point cut down and framed. It is mounted on Chinese brocade dating to the early 17th century. The painting depicts the Amitabha Buddha seated in the lotus position on a lotus pedestal, his hands forming the virtaka mudra - on both hands the thumb touches the index finger to form a circle. He is surrounded by a halo and a golden nimbus. To his right in the foreground stands the bodhissatva Mahasthamaprapta holding a blue lotus and to his left, Avalokiteśvara carries a flask (kundika). In the background stand two of the disciples of Sakyamuni: Kasyapa and Ananda. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | |
| Credit line | Given by Professor Benjamin Rowland |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The painting depicts Amitabha Buddha as the central figure flanked by Buddha’s two early disciples (Ananda and Mahakasyapa), and Buddha's attendants (Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta) with auspicious spirits radiating in five colours in the background. Amitabha sits in a crossed-legged position on the blue lotus pedestal which blossomed from the ground, holds the Vitarka mudra (hand position), and the nimbus around his head and body are highlighted in gold colour. The standing Avalokitesvara carries a kundika and has the nirmana-buddha featured in his crown. The standing Mahasthamaprapta holds a blue lotus and a flask is expressed in his crown. The main colour takes on dark green and reddish hue, partly tinged with navy and yellow tones. Amitabha paintings grew longer in width and featured an increasing number of characters in the late 19th century. It is assumed that this Amitabha painting is from the early 19th century, given the relatively small number of figures, Amitabha’s high ushnisha, and the Bodhisattvas’ calm face and old-style flower crown. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.108-1970 |
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| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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