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 is a Tantric manuscript known as the Sangrahani Sutra, executed as a painted page.

About this work

Overview

The work is a Tantric manuscript known as the Sangrahani Sutra, executed as a painted page. Its surface is dominated by a vivid red field that is punctuated by stylized blue and white floral motifs and two small green birds. The composition is framed by a series of colored borders that organize the central and peripheral elements into a cohesive whole.

Subject & Meaning

The central panel contains intersecting red and yellow lines that may represent esoteric diagrams used in tantric practice, while the surrounding flora and avian figures echo symbolic associations of purity and spiritual ascent common in ritual texts. The green border, filled with intricate patterns, functions both as a decorative frame and as a visual cue for meditative focus.

Technique & Style

The manuscript employs mineral pigments on a traditional paper support, allowing for the bright reds, blues, greens, and yellows to retain their intensity.

The manuscript employs mineral pigments on a traditional paper support, allowing for the bright reds, blues, greens, and yellows to retain their intensity. Geometric grids intersect with organic motifs, a hallmark of tantric visual culture that blends precise diagrammatic elements with naturalistic decoration. The layered borders demonstrate a meticulous hand and a sophisticated understanding of color balance.

History & Provenance

Although the precise origin of this particular page is not recorded, its style aligns with Indian tantric manuscript production that flourished between the 12th and 16th centuries. The piece is currently catalogued within the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it serves as an example of the region’s broader holdings of South Asian religious art.

Context

Tantric manuscripts such as the Sangrahani Sutra were used in ritual settings, often as visual aids for initiates to contemplate complex metaphysical concepts. The integration of vivid color, geometric schemata, and natural symbols reflects the syncretic aesthetic of tantric visual culture, which sought to embody both the transcendental and the earthly.