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.

About this work

Overview

Dominating the left side is a large blue disc edged with a yellow core, within which a secondary pink circle with its own yellow centre is set.

The work titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a rectangular painting distinguished by a vivid red field that frames a series of concentric circles on the left and a compact figurative scene on the right. Dominating the left side is a large blue disc edged with a yellow core, within which a secondary pink circle with its own yellow centre is set. The right-hand portion contains a small square portrait of a figure in a pink robe, encircled by stark black marks and dots.

Subject & Meaning

The central motifs combine geometric abstraction with symbolic representation. The blue and pink circles, embellished with stylised fish and foliage, evoke tantric iconography that often links aquatic life and plant forms to spiritual renewal. The solitary figure in the pink garment, isolated amid black geometric signs, may signify a practitioner or deity engaged in meditation, the surrounding marks suggesting protective or ritualistic forces.

Technique & Style

Executed with bold, flat washes of primary colour, the painting relies on stark contrasts between red, blue, pink, yellow and black. The composition is organized through simple geometric shapes—circles, squares and dots—while the decorative patterning of fish and leaves is rendered in a repetitive, almost ornamental manner. The overall visual language aligns with a modernist simplification of traditional tantric motifs, emphasizing rhythmic movement through colour and form.

Context

As a tantric manuscript illustration, the piece reflects a devotional tradition in which visual art serves as a meditative aid. The use of vivid hues and repetitive symbols corresponds to the pedagogical aims of the Sangrahani Sutra, a text concerned with the collection and transmission of esoteric teachings. The painting’s format suggests it was intended for inclusion in a larger codex, where each image would accompany corresponding verses or instructions.