Painted Banner (Thangka) of Dharmatala 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: 42 × 30 cm (16 9/16 × 11 13/16 in.); Overall: 107.5 × 62.5 cm (42 3/8 × 24 5/8 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
218474
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This thangka features Dharmatala (or Dharmata), a legendary lay devotee of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Dharmatala begins to appear in art with the sixteen arhats in the 14th century, and is named in verses of praise to the arhats from the 12th-13th century. Dharmatala is only depicted in art alongside the sixteen arhats; however, in some traditions he is considered to be an emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Dharmatala is one of the additional figures who make up the full iconographic grou...
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...