Mogao Cave 17: Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties

In this painting from Mogao Cave 17, Avalokitesvara sits on a lotus throne supported by clouds that rise from a pond at the bottom of the picture. The Bodhisattva wears a headdress with a Buddha image in the center and white ribbons on the sides. A nimbus filled with swirling colors surrounds the head. The hands close to the body either display mudras or hold Dharma instruments. Those that are farther away are depicted in a more symbolic manner, forming a red mandorla around the Bodhisattva.
Two devotees were originally painted in the corners of the lower register. The image of the male figure on the left is almost completely obscured by damage. The woman on the right holds an offering of flowers. Her hairstyle indicates that this picture was likely painted during the Five Dynasties.