Sakyamuni enthroned; and biographical scenes
18th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1905.278
Tags
About this artwork
To 1905
Art Historical Context
Behold the serene majesty of *Sakyamuni Enthroned; and Biographical Scenes*, an 18th-century Tibetanka painting from the Smithsonian Art Museum's collection. This exquisite work centers on Shakyamuni Buddha seated on an ornate throne, his right hand in the bhumisparsha mudra—the earth-touching gesture symbolizing victory over Mara and attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.rounding him are vignettes from the Buddha's life, a common feature in Tibetan Buddhist art that invites devotees to meditate on his teachings and journey. As a thangka, this painting likely served as a portable a...
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...