Buddha was painted by Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎.

Where can I see Buddha?

Buddha is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Buddha?

Buddha is associated with Joseon dynasty painting.

Can I buy a print of Buddha?

Museum-quality prints of Buddha are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Buddha

Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎

Buddha is a paint painting by the Joseon dynasty painting artist Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This painting, created by Kawanabe Kyosai, is a vibrant and dynamic representation of a chaotic scene centered around a Buddha-like figure.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a jumbled assortment of people and creatures surrounding a large central figure, with various actions and expressions. Japanese text is incorporated into the composition, though its specific meaning is unclear.

Technique & Style

Characterized by bold outlines, loose brushstrokes, and uneven color application, the painting showcases the artist's affinity for exaggeration and distortion, with figures stretched and bent in unconventional ways.

History & Provenance

The painting was acquired from Christie's auction house and entered the collection in 1897, as documented in the Asia Department's records during a 2022 provenance research project.

Daikoku and rats bringing rice bales to Ebisu, Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide

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Artist & collection

Artist

Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎

Kawanabe Kyōsai (河鍋暁斎; May 18, 1831 – April 26, 1889) was a Japanese painter and caricaturist. In the words of art historian Timothy Clark, "an individualist and an independent, perhaps the last virtuoso in traditional Japanese painting".