The Arhat Vajraputra, Metropolitan Museum
Unidentified Artist Sino-Tibetan, 15th century
Tibetan Buddhism, imported in China by Mongol rulers in the thirteenth century, enjoyed further patronage from fifteenth-century emperors of the early Ming period. This work vividly demonstrates how hieratic Tibetan imagery was transformed under Chinese influence into a more naturalistic style, witnessed most strongly in the Sinicized treatment of landscapes. This painting, originally part of a set depicting the sixteen arhats (Buddhist saints), portrays Vajraputra, his hand raised in the teaching gesture (vitarkamudra), expounding dharma to a devotee.
Sixteen Arhats ［十六羅漢］ (Jpn: jūroku-rakan): Arhats designated by Shakyamuni Buddha to protect his teachings for the benefit of the people after his death. According to Hsüan-tsang’s Chinese translation of The Record of Ensuring the Abiding of the Law, they continued to live after Shakyamuni’s entry into nirvana in order to fulfill this mission. They are Pindolabhāradvāja, Kanakavatsa, Kanakabhāradvāja, Subinda, Nakula, Bhadra, Kālika, Vajraputra, Jīvaka, Panthaka, Rāhula, Nāgasena, Angaja, Vanavāsin, Ajita, and Chūdapanthaka. In China and Japan, the sixteen arhats were often depicted artistically and these images enshrined in temples, in particular of the Zen school.
Hand painted oil reproduction on linen canvas with high quality oil and canvas. Average painting time is 15 days. Free Global Shipping via DHL 5-10 days guaranteed delivery or else no hassle immediate credit back.
Ships in rolled tube
High quality linen canvas
Museum grade oil paint
Professionally hand painted. Final dimension of painting may be slightly different due to the aspect ratio of original painting.
Your purchase supports Buddharts mission to commission original artwork on the infinitely rich tapestry of the teachings and key events in the 3000 year history of Buddhism.