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 object is a single folio from the "Sangrahani Sutra," a tantric manuscript rendered as a painted page.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single folio from the "Sangrahani Sutra," a tantric manuscript rendered as a painted page. The leaf is made of aged paper, its surface yellowed and bearing the signs of centuries of use. Sanskrit verses are set in a tightly organized grid, and select passages are accentuated in red pigment, indicating their particular significance within the text.

Subject & Meaning

The manuscript contains sections of a tantric sutra, a genre of esoteric Buddhist literature that outlines ritual practices and philosophical doctrines. The red‑inked lines likely mark key mantras or doctrinal points, guiding the reader’s meditation or recitation. The overall composition reflects the text’s function as both a spiritual guide and a didactic tool for initiates.

Technique & Style

The page combines calligraphic precision with miniature painting techniques typical of South Asian manuscript production. Ink, possibly iron‑gall or carbon, forms the dense script, while mineral red pigment—perhaps cinnabar—highlights selected verses. The grid layout demonstrates a systematic approach to page design, ensuring readability and facilitating ritual use.

History & Provenance

Although the exact origin is undocumented, the manuscript’s material qualities and script style place it within the broader tradition of medieval Indian tantric texts, likely dating from the 12th to 15th centuries. The folio now resides in a museum collection that holds comparable religious manuscripts, providing scholars access to the visual and textual conventions of the period.