Artwork
Blessed Lord Buddha
Blessed Lord Buddha is an unspecified painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Below him, the earth goddess balances a pot of water on her head while three Sri Lankan guardians stand nearby—one with six heads and twelve arms.
You see a golden Buddha glowing against a dark background, surrounded by disciples, gods, and protectors. Below him, the earth goddess balances a pot of water on her head while three Sri Lankan guardians stand nearby—one with six heads and twelve arms.
This painting was made in Sri Lanka around 1825–50, but we don’t know who painted it or what materials they used. The mix of Buddhist figures with local Sri Lankan deities shows how religion and culture blended in the region.
To see more art like this, look up the subject Sri Lanka.
Overview
This painting, titled 'Blessed Lord Buddha', is a representation of the Buddha surrounded by various figures, created in Sri Lanka during the mid-19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The Buddha is depicted at the center, flanked by his disciples and surrounded by various deities and protectors, including Sri Lankan guardians and Hindu gods, highlighting the blending of Buddhist and local cultural influences.
Technique & Style
The painting's style is reminiscent of 18th- to 19th-century Sri Lankan Buddhist temple murals, with its use of golden figures against a dark background and a varnish coating, suggesting it was intended for a devotional setting.
History & Provenance
Created in Sri Lanka around 1825–50, the painting's artist and materials are unknown, and it was likely part of a domestic shrine with other devotional objects.
Context
The inclusion of local Sri Lankan deities alongside Buddhist figures reflects the cultural and religious syncretism of the region during this period.
Artist & collection
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