King Suddhodana Presenting Prince Siddhartha to Heavenly Beings

CHINA; Song dynasty

A Song dynasty (960–1279) copy of a painting by the renowned Tang dynasty (618–907) artist Wu Daozi, this long scroll depicts King Suddhodana showing the newborn Prince Siddhartha to a group of heavenly beings. There are seal imprints by Emperor Gaozong (reigned 1127–1162) and chancellor Jia Sidao beside the images. Postscripts by artists including Cao Zhongyuan of the Southern Tang Kingdom (937–975) and Li Gonglin of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) are written at the end of the scroll.
King Suddhodana, portrayed as a Chinese emperor, is shown holding the newborn Prince Siddhartha in his arms. The prince has an urna between his eyebrows and looks up at his father. Queen Maya wears an ornate headdress and stands behind the king, accompanied by an attendant holding a fan. On the left, a group of heavenly beings stand and observe the prince. Some of the beings wear flowing robes and tall headdresses, appearing to be Heavenly Kings. One of the beings has three faces and six arms, and appears wrathful. He flies through the air, wearing a crown of intertwined snakes and holding a sword, a banner, an axe, and a Dharma wheel.
The scroll displays the signature aspects of Wu Daozi’s style. Lines of varying thicknesses, straight and sharp or flowing and curving, are used to depict the figures and their clothing.