1876
oil
canvas
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (Cave 1) is a 1876 oil by John Griffiths, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows the Bodhisattva sitting under a tree. The scene is from a story about the Buddha's life. It's interesting because the original painting is really old - from the 1st century BC to about AD 480. The artist copied this scene from a cave in India, and you can learn more about this style by looking into the technique of glazing.
The painting depicts a Bodhisattva seated on a green platform, his right hand extended toward the ground, surrounded by an army of demons and warriors poised aggressively above him. To his sides are two female figures, while below are five others, one holding a covered vessel and the rest in alluring poses. On the right stands a princely figure adorned with fine jewelry, identified as Mara, who attempts to disrupt the Bodhisattva’s meditation. The scene illustrates the Bodhisattva’s unwavering resolve as he resists temptation and summons the earth goddess to affirm his virtue, ultimately…
Read the full account in the museum source.
John Griffiths (29 November 1837 – 1 December 1918) was a Welsh artist who worked in India, noted for his Orientalist works.
See the richer artist page
