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 object is a single folio from an ancient tantric manuscript identified as the Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single folio from an ancient tantric manuscript identified as the Sangrahani Sutra. Rendered on a warm‑toned, slightly textured page, the sheet bears dense black ink script punctuated by thin red lines that demarcate textual divisions. The overall appearance suggests considerable age, with the paper surface showing signs of natural aging and handling.

Subject & Meaning

The page contains passages of the Sangrahani Sutra, a text associated with tantric Buddhist practice. While the precise language remains difficult to read, the content is presumed to involve ritual instructions or doctrinal exposition typical of such sutras, reflecting the spiritual and instructional aims of the tradition.

Technique & Style

The overall layout follows conventional manuscript conventions of the period, balancing readability with decorative restraint.

The calligraphy is executed with meticulous precision, each character formed with consistent stroke weight. Red pigment, likely derived from mineral or plant sources, is applied in linear bands that separate sections, creating a visual rhythm that aids navigation through the dense script. The overall layout follows conventional manuscript conventions of the period, balancing readability with decorative restraint.

History & Provenance

The folio originates from a manuscript tradition that circulated in regions where tantric Buddhism flourished, though its exact provenance is undocumented. The material composition and stylistic features place it within a historical framework of manuscript production prior to modern printing, indicating it was created for monastic or scholarly use.

Context

Manuscript illumination in tantric Buddhism often combined textual transmission with visual cues to support meditative practice. The use of red separators on a monochrome script aligns with broader South Asian manuscript conventions, where color coding facilitated ritual recitation and study.