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Mogao Cave 17: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
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Mogao Cave 17: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty (618–907); Ink and color on silk; 72 x 16.8 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
In this 9th century painting, the solemn Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva stands on a lotus pedestal. Thin eyebrows arch above bright, narrowed eyes. Blue stubble covers the bare head, which is surrounded by a nimbus painted with washes of green, red, and blue. Ksitigarbha wears a golden necklace, bracelets, a green inner robe, and a monastic robe decorated with colorful cloud patterns divided by thick black lines. The hands are held palm out in front of the chest. Tassels hang from a canopy at the top of the picture. The petals of the lotus pedestal are painted with a wash of red. Bright colors give the painting a lively appearance. |
