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 manuscript panel that presents five individual figures arranged in separate compartments.

About this work

Overview

Each compartment is set against a distinct background hue—yellow, orange, and blue—providing visual separation while maintaining a cohesive overall composition.

The work titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a painted manuscript panel that presents five individual figures arranged in separate compartments. Each compartment is set against a distinct background hue—yellow, orange, and blue—providing visual separation while maintaining a cohesive overall composition. The figures are rendered in varied postures, some seated and others standing, and are richly dressed with elaborate garments and ornaments.

Subject & Meaning

The five figures likely represent deities or enlightened beings associated with tantric practice, as suggested by the title’s reference to a sutra. Their individualized settings and opulent attire emphasize the distinct qualities or functions each figure embodies within the ritual or doctrinal framework of the text.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a vivid palette and careful delineation of forms, with attention to intricate costume details. While the museum’s collection highlights chiaroscuro, this piece relies more on flat color fields and decorative line work to convey volume, using contrasting background tones to separate the figures and enhance visual impact.

History & Provenance

The manuscript is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Asian collection, acquired through the museum’s ongoing efforts to represent South Asian religious art. Its exact origin, date, and prior ownership remain undocumented in the available record, but it is cataloged as a representative example of tantric visual culture.

Context

Tantric manuscripts often combine textual instruction with illustrative panels that aid meditation and ritual. The compartmentalized format of this painting aligns with the pedagogical function of such texts, allowing viewers to focus on each figure’s iconography while maintaining a unified narrative structure.