Painted Banner (Thangka) of Hvashang, from a Set of Seven Portraying the Sixteen Arhats (Elders), Early Disciples of the Historical Buddha Shakyamuni
19th century
Medium
Pigment on cloth
Dimensions
Image: 43 × 29.5 cm (16 15/16 × 11 5/8 in.); Overall: 109 × 62.6 cm (42 15/16 × 24 11/16 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
218471
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This thangka features Hvashang, a legendary devotee of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Although his name means “Chinese monk,” he is also identified as the Buddha’s patron, and in Tibetan art he is frequently dressed in lay robes and adorned with jewelry like a merchant. He is also associated with children and often appears, as shown here, surrounded by children at play. Hvashang is one of the additional figures who make up the full iconographic grouping included with representations of Shakyamuni and th...
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...