Artwork

Iconographic Drawings: Vaishravana, Yama, Ushnishavijaya, Chunda (?), and Buddha (recto)

Iconographic Drawings: Vaishravana, Yama, Ushnishavijaya, Chunda (?), and Buddha (recto) is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This rare, worn drawing on paper is a surviving example of a Tibetan sketchbook page used to guide the iconography of Buddhist figures.

About this work

Overview

This rare, worn drawing on paper is a surviving example of a Tibetan sketchbook page used to guide the iconography of Buddhist figures. It features five key figures drawn in black ink with halos, where applicable.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts: Vaishravana (guardian king of the north and god of wealth) on the left, a small donor in Tibetan attire to his right, followed by Yama (guardian king of the south and god of death) with his consort on a buffalo, Ushnishavijaya (goddess of longevity) below them, and an 18-armed goddess in a skull cup on serpents with a seated Buddha below her.

Technique & Style

Characterized by steady line drawings in black ink, the work showcases the precise delineation of attributes and gestures essential for accurate Buddhist iconography, reflecting the instructional purpose of the sketchbook.

History & Provenance

Originating from Tibet, this page is exceptionally rare due to the heavy usage and consequent deterioration of such sketchbooks over time, with most not surviving to the present.

Context

Used by Tibetan thangka painters, this sketchbook page would have served as a vital reference for learning and consistently depicting the specific characteristics of various Buddhist deities and figures in religious art.