Kizil Cave 80: Gandharva and Consort

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is to the right of the niche on the back wall of the main chamber, next to the niche. It depicts a scene from the Sakra Prasna Sutra wherein the gandharva and his consort are seated together on a long rectangular seat, each with a round nimbus. The gandharva has five hair knots and wears a crown on his head. On his body he wears necklaces, stoles, and other ornaments. He plays a harp while his right foot is raised and the left foot rests on the ground. His consort sits to his right, wearing a crown with a lotus decoration, stoles, and ornaments. She holds a white lotus flower in the left hand. The faces of the figures are damaged, but their detailed gestures, ornaments, and nimbuses are still intact.