The World of Men and Animals
14th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1904.343
Tags
About this artwork
Represented here and in the painting The World of Devas (F1904.342), are parts of the Six Realms of Existence into which living beings may be reborn according to Buddhist beliefs. In this painting are the worlds of men and animals, which correspond closely to the natural world of human experience. Nonetheless, according to Buddhist ideas, that realm is governed by illusion, desire, and sorrow. Hunting and other acts that involve oppression and destruction of one living being by another are illus...
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...