Painted Banner (Thangka) of Amitayus Buddha Surrounded by One Hundred Buddhas
19th century
Medium
Pigment on cloth
Dimensions
Image: 86.6 × 53.5 cm (34 1/8 × 21 1/8 in.); Cloth: 89.8 × 56.5 cm (35 3/8 × 22 1/4 in.)
Classification
miniature painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
49262
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This thangka depicts the Buddha Amitayus surrounded by one hundred smaller identical buddha figures. Amitayus, whose name means "Boundless Life," has one face and two hands and displays a peaceful expression. He is depicted in the celestial (sambhogakaya) form, wearing rich and flowing garments and adorned with jewel-studded earrings, crown, necklaces, and other ornaments that stand in contrast to depictions of the Buddha in monastic garb, free from adornment. Although Amitayus is usually red in...
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...