Painted Banner (Thangka) 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: 110 × 63.6 cm (43 5/16 × 25 1/16 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
218470
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This thangka features four of the sixteen arhats, early Indian disciples of the Buddha Shakyamuni. From the top, Rahula holds a crown, Pindola Bharadvaja holds a book and bowl, Nagasena carries a vase, and Abheda bears a small stupa. Surrounding the arhats are scenes referencing hagiographic narratives associated with them. The group of seven thangkas to which this work belongs would normally be hung together, placed in a row with a central thangka and three thangkas flanking it on each side. 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...