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 page from a tantric manuscript.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a painted page from a tantric manuscript. It portrays several figures arranged in a lively composition, many equipped with swords and shields. The scene unfolds amid stylised trees and foliage, giving a sense of spatial depth. Bright colours and vigorous lines convey movement and a charged atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The central group appears to be engaged in a ritual or martial episode, suggested by the weaponry and the dynamic postures. Within tantric traditions, such depictions often symbolize the conquest of inner obstacles or the enactment of protective deities. The interaction among the figures hints at a narrative of collective action rather than isolated heroics.

Technique & Style

The painter employs bold, sweeping outlines that define each figure, while the palette bursts with saturated reds, blues, and yellows. The foliage is rendered with rhythmic brushwork, creating a layered backdrop. This combination of vivid hue and energetic line work produces a visual tension that guides the eye across the composition.

Context

As a component of a larger tantric text, the illustration serves both devotional and instructional purposes, linking visual symbolism with the sutra’s teachings. Such manuscript paintings were typically produced in monastic workshops, where artists adhered to codified iconographic conventions while allowing individual stylistic flourishes.