Artwork
Pair of book covers with Buddhist deities
Pair of book covers with Buddhist deities is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1092 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work consists of two elongated panels, each set against a vivid red ground.
About this work
Overview
The work consists of two elongated panels, each set against a vivid red ground. Within each panel, five figures are presented in small, square compartments arranged in two rows. The upper row shows seated figures rendered with a serene demeanor, while the lower row combines seated and standing figures, some holding objects or assuming expressive gestures.
Subject & Meaning
The depicted characters are Buddhist deities, identifiable by their golden skin tones and traditional iconography. Their placement in orderly registers suggests a didactic purpose, likely intended to illustrate aspects of Buddhist cosmology or to serve as devotional images for meditation and reverence.
Technique & Style
Figures are outlined in crisp black lines and filled with flat areas of gold, white, and red pigment, creating a stylized, two‑dimensional effect. The surrounding borders feature interlaced green and black motifs reminiscent of woven textiles. The paint surface shows areas of wear, indicating the work’s age and the effects of long‑term exposure.
History & Provenance
The panels are of unknown origin, but their format and iconographic program align with Buddhist devotional paintings produced for private or monastic use in East Asia. Their current location is not specified, though similar pieces are held by institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, suggesting a comparable cultural and collection context.
Artist & collection
