Artwork

Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"

Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra", by Unknown, unspecified
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra", by Unknown, unspecified

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 a Tantric manuscript identified as the "Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single folio from a Tantric manuscript identified as the "Sangrahani Sutra." Rendered as a painted page, the sheet bears black ink text framed by thin red bands that demarcate individual sections. The parchment has yellowed considerably and shows signs of handling, indicating considerable age and use.

Subject & Meaning

The inscription appears to be a religious or spiritual composition, most likely drawn from a Hindu or Buddhist tantric tradition. While the exact content cannot be read without specialist knowledge of the script, the title and visual cues suggest it records esoteric teachings or ritual instructions typical of such sutras.

Technique & Style

The scribe employed a dense, ornamental hand, filling the surface with intricate strokes and decorative flourishes that enhance the visual impact of the text. Black ink provides the primary script, while narrow red lines run across the page, offering both a chromatic contrast and a functional means of separating passages.

History & Provenance

The page is part of a broader collection of tantric manuscripts, many of which are housed in institutions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts. Its worn condition and the patina of the material point to centuries of use, though precise dating and origin remain uncertain without further scholarly analysis.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known