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 leaf from an ancient manuscript, presenting a page of black script set against a light‑tan ground.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single leaf from an ancient manuscript, presenting a page of black script set against a light‑tan ground.

The object is a single leaf from an ancient manuscript, presenting a page of black script set against a light‑tan ground. The writing runs in orderly lines, divided by thin vertical red bands that separate distinct textual blocks. The page’s rectangular shape is softened by rounded corners, and the script is rendered with decorative flourishes and occasional symbolic marks, highlighting the care of its production.

Technique & Style

The text is executed in a dense, ornamental hand, employing fine black ink on a prepared parchment or paper surface. Red pigment, likely derived from mineral sources, forms narrow vertical lines that function as visual separators. The decorative strokes and ancillary symbols suggest a scribal tradition that valued both legibility and aesthetic embellishment, reflecting a high level of calligraphic skill.

Context

The manuscript is identified as the "Sangrahani Sutra," a work associated with tantric Buddhist literature. Such texts were traditionally copied by monastic scribes for ritual or instructional use, and the elaborate presentation indicates a purpose beyond mere utilitarian record‑keeping, perhaps intended for ceremonial reading or as a teaching aid within a specialized religious community.