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 object is a single folio from a historic manuscript, rendered on a yellowed, heavily used page.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single folio from a historic manuscript, rendered on a yellowed, heavily used page. Black ink forms the primary script, interspersed with red and yellow highlights that draw attention to particular passages. Flanking the text are two ornamental panels featuring stylized foliage and floral motifs, framing the written material within a decorative border.

Subject & Meaning

The script appears to be a tantric composition, likely a sutra, given its title and the presence of ritual symbols. The highlighted sections suggest emphasis on specific verses or instructions, a common practice in esoteric Buddhist texts where certain passages are meant for memorization or recitation by initiates.

Technique & Style

The page employs traditional brushwork on paper, with a dense, linear calligraphy that follows regular rows. Red and yellow pigments, applied with fine brushes, serve as visual markers. The marginal decorations are executed in a stylized, symmetrical manner, using vegetal motifs typical of South Asian manuscript illumination.

History & Provenance

Although the exact origin is not recorded, the manuscript’s material condition—yellowed, worn, and heavily annotated—indicates long-term use in a monastic or scholarly setting. The style of the script and ornamentation aligns with medieval tantric productions from the Indian subcontinent, suggesting it was created for ritual study rather than public display.