Portrait of Vimalakirti
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
62 x 36 1/2 in. (157.5 x 92.7 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Charles Stewart Smith Collection, Gift of Mrs. Charles Stewart Smith, Charles Stewart Smith Jr., and Howard Caswell Smith, in memory of Charles Stewart Smith, 1914
Accession Number
14.76.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the elegant *Portrait of Vimalak*, a Ming dynasty (1368–1644) hanging attributed to Ma Liang or an unidentified artist, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department. Rendered in ink and color on silk, this work measures 62 x 36½ inches, exemplifying the refined craftsmanship of Chinese painting. Hanging scrolls like this were prized possessions, unrolled for contemplation during scholarly gatherings or meditation, blending artistry with spiritual devotion. Vimalakirti, the central figure, is a legendary lay Buddhist disciple from Indian scriptures, renowned for h...
About the Artist
Ma Liang|Unidentified artist (Chinese| ) · 1280 | –1360 |
Chinese, 1280–1360|