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 manuscript page titled “Sangrahani Sutra,” composed of a rectangular grid of individual boxes.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted manuscript page titled “Sangrahani Sutra,” composed of a rectangular grid of individual boxes. Each cell is outlined in vivid red and yellow lines, while the interior contains black script. The overall composition is organized, with the grid framed by a contrasting border that reinforces its structured appearance.

Subject & Meaning

The black lettering within the cells represents a religious or philosophical text, likely drawn from an ancient Indian tradition such as Sanskrit. The arrangement of the script in a systematic grid suggests an intention to catalog or compile teachings, reflecting the manuscript’s title, which implies a collection of sutras.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a combination of pigment colors—red, yellow, and black—applied with precise, linear brushwork to delineate the boxes and text. The use of bright borders to separate sections is characteristic of Indian manuscript illumination, where color symbolism often conveys spiritual significance.

History & Provenance

Identified as a tantric manuscript, the piece belongs to a tradition of esoteric Buddhist or Hindu literature. Its exact origin, date, and previous ownership are not detailed in the available information, limiting precise provenance.

Context

Manuscripts of this type were commonly produced in monastic settings for study and ritual use, where the visual order of text aided memorization and transmission of complex doctrines. The red and yellow hues align with broader Indian aesthetic conventions that associate these colors with sacred and mystical themes.