Painted Banner (Thangka) of Shantarakshita (725-788 CE), an Indian Buddhist Scholar, Included with a Seven Thangka Set of the Sixteen Arhats (Elders)
19th century
Medium
Pigment on cloth
Dimensions
Image: 44.6 × 31.2 cm (17 9/16 × 12 5/16 in.); Overall: 110 × 63.5 cm (43 5/16 × 25 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
218475
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The central figure featured in this thangka is most likely Shantarakshita (725-788 CE), the Indian Buddhist scholar who helped introduce Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century, including founding its first monastery at Samye. He can be recognized by the round green and red stylized traveling bag at his right elbow and the stacks of Tibetan-style books (pechas) behind him, as well as the blue shirt indicative of his Indian origin. Shantarakshita wears a red pandita cap and is enthroned facing fo...
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...