Accession no.: 1986.509.1a, b
Credit line: Anonymous Gift, 1986

About this work

A tall scroll holds two figures floating on clouds: the left many-armed and calm, the right fierce and gripping a lightning bolt. Painted in Tibet around 1300 to 1400. The calm figure is Avalokiteshvara, who delays nirvana to help others. The artist drew muscle and fold in thin ink lines, no shading, just careful strokes.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Avalokiteśvara and Vajrapani, both identified as bodhisattvas. This indicates a Buddhist religious subject, with the figures representing enlightened beings central to Mahayana devotion. The work’s inclusion of these two bodhisattvas suggests a focus on the qualities they embody within the Buddhist tradition.

Technique & Style

While the sources do not detail the artist’s handling or the work’s current condition, they confirm its classification as a painting and its religious genre.

The work is an ink and color painting on paper, created circa 1399 by an anonymous artist, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The medium consists of inks and pigments applied to a paper support, typical of religious painting of the era. Its formal qualities are defined by the depiction of Avalokiteśvara, Vajrapani, and a Bodhisattva, rendered in a devotional style characteristic of late‑14th‑century Buddhist art.

While the sources do not detail the artist’s handling or the work’s current condition, they confirm its classification as a painting and its religious genre.

History & Provenance

The painting is dated to 1399, a dating reflected in both the internal catalog record and the Wikidata entry, which records an inception date of 1 January 1399. It is attributed to an anonymous painter rather than a named artist. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is also located, according to the Wikidata record.

No information is provided regarding its commission, earlier ownership history, or chain of custody prior to its accession at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Overview

This untitled painting, created in Tibet between 1300 and 1400, depicts two prominent figures. Rendered with inks and color on paper, the artwork is presented as a tall scroll. The central focus is on these two celestial beings, who appear to float on clouds, embodying distinct characteristics and expressions within the composition.

Context

The figures depicted in this scroll are representative of bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who embody compassion and wisdom. These figures are central to Mahayana Buddhism, serving as models of altruism and spiritual aspiration. Their presence in art often facilitates meditation and veneration, connecting viewers to core tenets of Buddhist philosophy.