Artwork
Painted Banner (Thangka) of Vajriputra, One of the Sixteen Great...
Painted Banner (Thangka) of Vajriputra, One of the Sixteen Great... is an unspecified painting by the Yōga artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work is a thangka, a painted religious banner, depicting Vajriputra, a figure among the Sixteen Great Bodhisattvas.
About this work
Overview
The work is a thangka, a painted religious banner, depicting Vajriputra, a figure among the Sixteen Great Bodhisattvas. Rendered in muted greens, blues and oranges, the composition centers on a serene figure seated on a grassy platform, haloed and flanked by foliage that recedes into a tranquil landscape.
Subject & Meaning
Vajriputra, identified by his distinctive blue robe with orange trim, is presented in a meditative pose, suggesting qualities of compassion and wisdom associated with the bodhisattva. The surrounding vegetation and the presence of a smaller, distant figure reinforce a narrative of spiritual guidance within a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in the traditional thangka method, the painting employs mineral pigments on a cloth ground, allowing for the luminous yet subdued color palette. Fine brushwork defines the halo and the intricate foliage, while the balanced layout reflects the canonical compositional principles of Tibetan Buddhist art.
History & Provenance
The banner originates from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and forms part of a series honoring the Sixteen Great Bodhisattvas. It entered the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago through acquisition in the late twentieth century, where it now contributes to the museum’s representation of Asian religious art.
Artist & collection
