Painted Banner (Thangka) of Bodhisattva Maitreya Surrounded by his Retinue
16th century
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton
Dimensions
50.2 × 39.7 cm (19 3/4 × 15 5/8 in.)
Classification
tankas (scrolls or banners)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
144918
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, and the successor of Shakyamuni Buddha, is identifiable by the tiny, gold waterpot perched on the lotus near his shoulder at right. He is flanked by two other bodhisattvas; the green one is Vajrapani and the golden one is most likely Manjusri. Collectively, these three deities represent Shakyamuni Buddha’s virtues: Maitreya is the manifestation of his compassion, Manjusri is the manifestation of his wisdom; and Vajrapani is the manifestation of...
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...