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 leaf from a historic manuscript titled “Sangrahani Sutra.
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from a historic manuscript titled “Sangrahani Sutra.” It consists of a painted page on paper that has yellowed with age and shows signs of wear, including stains and tears. The layout is organized in a grid, with red lines delineating distinct sections of the text.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains an unknown script, rendered in a flowing hand with elaborate flourishes. While the precise language cannot be identified, the characters resemble Sanskrit or another ancient Indian linguistic tradition, suggesting a religious or philosophical content typical of tantric sutras.
Technique & Style
The manuscript employs a grid format to structure the text, and red pigment is used to draw separating lines, providing visual order. The calligraphic script is executed with fine brushwork, creating intricate details and ornamental strokes that reflect a high level of scribal skill.
History & Provenance
The leaf is part of an older, likely Indian, manuscript collection and now resides in the Detroit Institute of Arts. Its condition—yellowed paper, stains, and tears—indicates considerable age and handling over time before acquisition by the museum.
Context
Tantric manuscripts such as this were traditionally used for esoteric instruction, often circulated among initiated practitioners. The grid arrangement and decorative script align with the visual conventions of medieval Indian religious texts, which combined textual transmission with aesthetic presentation.
Artist & collection
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Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"
Tantric Manuscript, "Sangrahani Sutra"