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 titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a painted manuscript panel composed of a twelve‑square grid.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “Sangrahani Sutra” is a painted manuscript panel composed of a twelve‑square grid. Each compartment contains an animal or hybrid creature rendered in vivid hues such as blue, green, and brown. The figures are arranged in varied postures, combining recognizable fauna like horses and elephants with fantastical beings, creating a lively tableau of movement.

Subject & Meaning

The selection of animals and mythic hybrids reflects tantric iconography, where each creature can symbolize a particular spiritual quality or cosmic principle. The juxtaposition of real and imagined forms suggests a synthesis of the material and the transcendent, a visual meditation on the interconnectedness of earthly life and esoteric teachings.

Technique & Style

Executed in a folk‑art manner, the painting employs bold outlines and saturated pigments that emphasize clarity and vigor. The flat, decorative treatment of the figures, together with the orderly grid, underscores a didactic purpose, while the energetic brushwork conveys a sense of dynamism typical of regional manuscript illustration traditions.

History & Provenance

The panel is part of the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Its acquisition date and prior ownership are not detailed in the available record, but its inclusion in the museum’s holdings situates it within a broader assemblage of South Asian religious manuscripts, offering scholars a tangible example of tantric visual culture.