Who painted Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"?

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"?

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

Artwork

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The work titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a painted manuscript panel distinguished by a circular composition.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a painted manuscript panel distinguished by a circular composition. Its perimeter is framed in alternating red and blue bands, while the central field presents a bright yellow disc encircled by successive red and white rings. A flag‑like motif in green and red crowns the top, containing a smaller yellow circle, all set against a warm, off‑white background.

Subject & Meaning

The arrangement of concentric circles and flag elements reflects typical tantric iconography, where color and geometry convey spiritual forces. The dominant reds, blues, and yellows are traditionally associated with vitality, wisdom, and illumination, suggesting the piece functions as a visual aid for meditative or ritual practice within the tantric tradition.

Technique & Style

Executed with vivid pigments, the painting displays a flat, decorative surface characteristic of manuscript illumination. The bold outlines and saturated hues indicate the use of mineral and organic pigments applied in layers, while the precise geometric forms reveal a disciplined hand accustomed to symbolic schematics rather than naturalistic representation.

History & Provenance

The piece is identified as a tantric manuscript illustration, though specific details of its origin, date, or ownership are not provided in the available description. Its style aligns with South Asian religious art, suggesting it may have been produced in a monastic or scholarly setting before entering a museum collection.

Context

Within the broader corpus of tantric visual culture, circular motifs serve as mandalas that map cosmic order and inner consciousness. The combination of flag imagery and concentric circles situates the work among ritual objects designed to focus attention during esoteric ceremonies.

Legacy

Manuscript paintings such as this continue to inform scholars of the visual language employed in tantric practices, offering insight into the interplay of color symbolism and geometric abstraction that shaped devotional art across centuries.