The Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī on a Lion
- Culture
- Chinese
- Dynasty
- Ming dynasty, 1368–1644
- Date
- late 14th century
- Material
- Ink, color, and gold pigment on silk
- Classification
- Coverings & hangings, paintings
- Collection
- Asian Art
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 63 1/2 x 30 1/4 in. (161.3 x 76.8 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 110:1919
NOTES
The central figure here is Mañjusri, Lord of Wisdom and one of the most important deities in the Buddhist pantheon. Crowned with a jeweled tiara and dressed in vibrantly colored silks of contrasting red, green, and gold, he is shown under a royal canopy encircled by a halo and multicolored clouds. Mañjusri sits on a lotus throne atop his vehicle - a lion leashed by a groomed attendant. The young child Sudhana, who stands in adoration on the viewer's left, identifies the scriptural reference of this hanging scroll as the Flower Garland Sútra, in which Mañjusri assists the child on a quest for enlightenment.
Provenance
- 1919
Yamanaka & Co., Osaka, Japan
1919 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Yamanaka & Co. [1]
Notes:
[1] Invoice dated June 26, 1919 [SLAM document files 252:1919]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, May 2, 1919.
Yamanaka & Co., Osaka, Japan
1919 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Yamanaka & Co. [1]
Notes:
[1] Invoice dated June 26, 1919 [SLAM document files 252:1919]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, May 2, 1919.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.