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Sakyamuni Buddha and Attendants
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Sakyamuni Buddha and Attendants
CHINA; Northern Song dynasty (960–1127); Ink on silk; 188.1 x 111.3 cm; National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Seal imprints on this painting indicate that it was stored in the imperial palace treasury during the rule of Emperor Huizong (reigned 1100-1125). The Buddha sits above the other figures on a lotus throne atop a Sumeru platform. A flaming nimbus surrounds the head. The aureole is depicted with simple black lines. Dressed in layered robes that hang over the front of the lotus throne, the Buddha forms mudras with both hands. Below the throne, the youthful Ananda, aged Mahayasyapa, two robust Heavenly Kings, and two elegant Bodhisattvas stand on lotus pedestals. Intricate patterns decorate the base of the throne and the Buddha's robe. Masterfully varied lines and delicate shading result in a highly nuanced illustration. |
