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Wutaishan Foguang Temple East Hall: Vaisravana Subduing Evil
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Wutaishan Foguang Temple East Hall: Vaisravana Subduing Evil
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Wutaishan Foguang Temple East Hall: Vaisravana Subduing Evil
CHINA, Shanxi, Xinzhou; Tang dynasty (618–907)
Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, was highly venerated during the Tang dynasty. This mural, painted on the back of the throne in the East Hall, depicts Vaisravana defeating demons. He is depicted with bulging muscles, wide eyes, and a beard. His suit of armor has a chest plate and shoulder guards decorated with beasts' heads. Vaisravana holds a sword in his right hand and stands upon two demons, pushing down the head of one with his left hand. He appears to have descended from above to trample the demons, who are contorted into painful looking postures, struggling to break free. A female heavenly being wearing a wide-sleeved robe stands on the left, looking over at Vaisravana. She has a round, gentle face, and her hair is tied into two looping topknots.
Two fierce, muscular warriors are painted to the left of the heavenly being. The warrior on the right wears a leopard skin robe and holds a monkey-demon by the tail and neck. The other warrior has a single bulging eye and a bare upper body, and holds a wooden club. Behind him, a bony demon falls to the ground, appearing to scream in pain.
The mural features vivid, dynamic figures painted in elegant colors. The muscular figures are modeled after the Heavenly Kings and warriors depicted by the renowned Tang dynasty painter Wu Daozi. Because it is painted in an area of the temple that does not receive much sunlight, the mural is well preserved despite its age. |
