Chinese painting “Shakyamuni”, Qing dynasty

Painting and pigments on silk. 

Finely rendered representation of Shakyamuni, arranged in the center of the composition in vajrasana, on a lotiform throne with his right hand is in bhumisparshamudra and the left in vitarkamudra. He has a peaceful and serene face, with curly hair tied in a high bun and long ears framing his face. He is dressed in a red and blue robe with golden embroidered details of parrot medallions, scrolls and leaves, which covers his shoulders and falls down his body forming numerous folds. He is surrounded by a green halo that covers and surrounds his head and a larger golden halo that frames his body. 

The image is arranged on a background covered with white swirling clouds, where four beings can be seen accompanying the deity. Two of them, women, arranged in the upper corners, are represented small, with bicolor robes and traditional headdresses, sitting on the clouds and surrounded by two superimposed halos, like the great Shakyamuni.  Finally, flanking the deity, are his two disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, dressed in monastic robes, and with their hands joined at chest height as a symbol of prayer and respect. 

Size: 167 x 100.5 cm; Size with frame: 174.5 x 107.4 cm

Provenance:

- French private collection.