Monju Dressed in a Robe of Braided Grass (Nawa Monju)
dated 1415
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
92.7 × 40.3 cm (36 1/2 × 15 7/8 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
90437
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The earthly abode of Monju, the bodhisattva of wisdom, was thought to be on Mount Wutai in Shanxi province, China. At this site, pilgrims reported seeing the deity in a variety of more humble manifestations. In an account by the 11th-century scholar Lu Huiqing, Monju appeared as a strangely clad boy, advising Lu that the Buddha’s teachings were simple and clear despite the pedantic commentaries that obscured them. Lu scolded the youth for his impertinence, only to realize that he was speaking wi...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...