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Buddha Shakyamuni with Scenes of his Life
Tibetan
18th–19th century
Object Place: Tibet
Medium/Technique
Distemper on cotton, mounted with silk brocades in the Chinese manner.
Dimensions
Image: 38.5 × 27 cm (15 3/16 × 10 5/8 in.)
Mount: 79.5 × 51 cm (31 5/16 × 20 1/16 in.)
Overall: 79.5 × 56 cm (31 5/16 × 22 1/16 in.)
Mount: 79.5 × 51 cm (31 5/16 × 20 1/16 in.)
Overall: 79.5 × 56 cm (31 5/16 × 22 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bernat
Accession Number48.273
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings
DescriptionPainting in hanging scroll (thangka) format, with decorative stitched borders and paper backing, no streamers or veil.
Shakyamuni sits on a throne at the center, with his right hand in dharmachakra mudra and his left hand in dhyana mudra. He is surrounded by scenes from his life set against backdrops of trees and pavilions. In the upper left, the Buddha-to-be cuts off his hair, puts it on a tray, and the tray is then raised to heaven. A stupa stands in the background. In the upper right, three mendicants stand in front of an enclosure, apparently witnessing the scene in the opposite corner. In the lower left, the Buddha-to-be gestures toward a man on a horse who carries a crown (presumably the former prince's). A stupa stands in the background. At the center, the 3 mendicants appear again, walking. In the lower right, the horseman offers the crown to a seated royal woman and her retinue. Above, a small figure flies upward with the crown. On either side of the Buddha are seated monks. In front of his throne are a pedestal dish, chakra, and covered dish. Small buildings at the top center may represent heaven.
Shakyamuni sits on a throne at the center, with his right hand in dharmachakra mudra and his left hand in dhyana mudra. He is surrounded by scenes from his life set against backdrops of trees and pavilions. In the upper left, the Buddha-to-be cuts off his hair, puts it on a tray, and the tray is then raised to heaven. A stupa stands in the background. In the upper right, three mendicants stand in front of an enclosure, apparently witnessing the scene in the opposite corner. In the lower left, the Buddha-to-be gestures toward a man on a horse who carries a crown (presumably the former prince's). A stupa stands in the background. At the center, the 3 mendicants appear again, walking. In the lower right, the horseman offers the crown to a seated royal woman and her retinue. Above, a small figure flies upward with the crown. On either side of the Buddha are seated monks. In front of his throne are a pedestal dish, chakra, and covered dish. Small buildings at the top center may represent heaven.
InscriptionsOn obverse, in both upper and lower sections, small inscriptions in Tibetan, probably identifying scenes - to be read.
Provenance1948, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bernat, Milton, MA; 1948, gift of Bernat to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 11, 1948)