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Amitayus

Unknown

1850

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early 19th Century Religious

Dominant colour

Amitayus is a 1850 paint by Unknown, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1850
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a figure sitting cross-legged in a red circle, surrounded by a blue and green background with swirling clouds. The figure has a calm face, wears a yellow robe, and holds a golden object in one hand. Bright colors like pink, red, and green fill the scene, creating a bold, flat look. The figure appears to be a religious symbol, often used in spiritual art. The style looks like it comes from a time when artists focused on bright colors and clear shapes. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more art like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The painting depicts Amitayus in gouache on cotton, rendered crudely with yellow skin and orange and red garments, seated in the dhyanasana pose while holding a vase containing the elixir of immortality. The figure is positioned on a throne composed of brown lotus petals, with green foliage beneath, and enclosed within a red aureole, while a pink halo surrounds the head.

Read the full account in the museum source.