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.

About this work

Overview

The object is a page from a tantric manuscript titled “Sangrahani Sutra,” executed as a painted document rather than a conventional illustrated codex.

The object is a page from a tantric manuscript titled “Sangrahani Sutra,” executed as a painted document rather than a conventional illustrated codex. The sheet presents densely set text in an unidentified script, rendered primarily in black ink. Accents of red and yellow highlight particular words, while the page is framed by a red border on a beige ground, giving it a restrained yet purposeful visual order.

Subject & Meaning

The content of the page consists of a sutra—a concise doctrinal statement—pertinent to tantric practice. Although the exact language remains undeciphered, the use of color emphasis suggests a ritual or instructional function, marking key terms or passages for recitation or meditation within a esoteric tradition.

Technique & Style

The manuscript employs a straightforward calligraphic approach: black ink strokes form the main body of text, while selective words receive red or yellow pigment, likely applied with a fine brush. The surrounding decorative elements consist of two symmetrical motifs in blue and yellow positioned at the margins, complementing the red border and contributing to a balanced compositional scheme without figurative imagery.

Context

Created as part of a larger tantric corpus, the page reflects the manuscript culture of South Asian religious communities that valued textual transmission over pictorial illustration. Its unknown script and limited decorative program indicate a specialized, perhaps monastic, audience. The work’s current location and ownership history are not documented, leaving its precise origin and journey to modern collections uncertain.