Wutaishan Foguang Temple Manjusri Hall: Five Hundred Arhats

CHINA, Shanxi, Xinzhou; Ming dynasty

According to an inscription on the temple bell, these figures on the lower half of the back (north) and side walls of Manjusri Hall were painted by Sui Baoyan and his apprentices in 1430 of the Ming dynasty.
The actual number of Arhats depicted is 259, among which 248 still remain. Arranged into two rows, the Arhats sit in various postures and look in different directions. Most of them wear Chinese robes with crossed collars and large loose sleeves. They either hold objects, form mudras, or join their palms. The Arhats all have nimbuses colored in yellow, blue, white, or red. The robes are depicted in several different colors and some are decorated with a checkered pattern. Decorative patterns on the lapels are lined with golden pigment. This work, portraying Arhats with varying expressions and gestures, is a representational mural of the Five Hundred Arhats from the Ming dynasty.