Artwork

白描印相図巻|Scroll of Mudras

白描印相図巻|Scroll of Mudras is an ink painting. It dates from 1092 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This handscroll, titled Scroll of Mudras, is an ink painting on paper.

About this work

Overview

This handscroll, titled Scroll of Mudras, is an ink painting on paper. It presents a series of detailed drawings depicting various hand gestures. The work functions as a visual compendium, showcasing the precise forms of these significant poses without additional narrative elements or figures.

Subject & Meaning

The scroll meticulously illustrates mudras, which are specific hand positions integral to Buddhist rituals and practices. These gestures serve multiple purposes, including conveying narratives, symbolizing particular deities or concepts, and channeling spiritual energy. By isolating the hands, the artist emphasizes their symbolic weight and communicative power within a sacred context.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink on paper, the artwork employs a direct and unadorned drawing style. The lines are characterized by their simplicity and precision, suggesting an instructional or didactic intent. The absence of color or elaborate backgrounds directs full attention to the intricate forms of the hands themselves, highlighting the clarity and exactitude required for each mudra.