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 painted page from a tantric religious manuscript, identified as the Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted page from a tantric religious manuscript, identified as the Sangrahani Sutra. Rendered on a yellowed, hand‑made paper, the page is densely filled with black script and intermittent red highlights. The composition is essentially textual, with the visual interest derived from the intricate calligraphy and the contrast of inks against the aged surface.

Subject & Meaning

The text appears to be written in an ancient Indian script, likely Sanskrit, and forms part of a tantric treatise. The red ink marks specific words or phrases, a common practice in ritual manuscripts to emphasize doctrinal or liturgical points, suggesting the page was intended for study or recitation within a religious context.

Technique & Style

The artist employed fine brushwork to execute tightly spaced black characters, while using a separate red pigment to underline selected passages. The paper’s rough texture indicates a handmade substrate, and the ink application shows a controlled hand capable of maintaining uniform line density across the page, reflecting the meticulous standards of manuscript illumination in the region.

History & Provenance

The manuscript originates from a tradition of tantric literature, though its precise date and place of production are not specified. Its survival on a yellowed sheet points to long-term use and preservation, likely within a monastic or scholarly collection before entering a museum or archival setting.