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 the Tantric work known as the Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single leaf from the Tantric work known as the Sangrahani Sutra. Rendered on a beige parchment, the surface is covered entirely with black lettering, framed by thin red and yellow bands that run along the margins. A modest yellow square appears in the lower‑right corner, serving as a visual marker within the otherwise text‑dense page.

Subject & Meaning

The page contains a continuous block of script, suggesting a passage of ritual or doctrinal instruction typical of Tantric literature. While the precise content remains unidentified, the dense arrangement of characters aligns with the tradition of transmitting esoteric teachings through written transmission rather than visual symbolism.

Technique & Style

The manuscript employs a monochrome ink on natural‑colored paper, with the ink applied in a fine, uniform hand that maximizes legibility despite the compact layout. The marginal red and yellow lines are executed with a thin brush, providing a subtle decorative frame that contrasts with the austere black text.

History & Provenance

The leaf is part of the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it has been catalogued as a representative example of Tantric manuscript production. Its origin is traced to an unidentified Indian workshop, and the script has not been conclusively linked to a specific language, though scholars suspect a form of Sanskrit.

Context

Tantric manuscripts such as the Sangrahani Sutra were traditionally used by initiates for private study and ritual practice. The absence of pictorial elements reflects a focus on textual transmission, a common feature in esoteric Indian traditions where the written word is considered a carrier of spiritual power.