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Mogao Cave 17: Hayagriva
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Mogao Cave 17: Hayagriva
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties to Northern Song dynasty (907–1127); Ink and color on paper; 72 x 30.6 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
The three-headed, eight-armed Hayagriva is engulfed by red flames. On the central face, there is a third eye in the middle of the forehead, and the protruding teeth bites the lower lip. A high topknot is partially covered by a headdress decorated with a Buddha image. Thick ornaments adorn the body. The eight hands hold Dharma instruments or form mudras. Snakes are coiled around the legs, and the feet rest on lotus pedestals. A white horse is painted above the nimbus. The heads of a beast and garudas are visible in the flames. At the bottom of the painting, there is a small hand and what appear to be a nose and teeth. The painting resembles a depiction of Ucchusma, also from Cave 17, that is kept in the British Museum. |
