Tuyoq Cave 12: Standing Bodhisattva

CHINA, Xinjiang, Turpan

This image was taken from Cave 12 of the Tuyoq Caves and is now part of the collection at the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. The image depicts a Bodhisattva attending the Buddha while he teaches the Dharma. The Bodhisattva wears a triple-disc crown, and has a plump oval face. The eyebrows and bridge of the nose are connected in long, fine brush lines. A thin black mustache is painted above the mouth, which is small with red lips. The figure wears large earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other jeweled ornaments. A long green dhoti is tied at the waist. The Bodhisattva’s left hand is held at chest-level in a mudra, and in the right hand is a vase. The Bodhisattva stands in the tribhanga pose, and the pleated dhoti is arranged askew with a pleasing effect. The Bodhisattva’s skin is outlined with a deep brown color to produce a three-dimensional appearance. Modeled upon the Gutpa style, the painting technique is similar to those seen in the Kizil Caves.