Child-Granting Avalokitesvara

CHINA; Ming dynasty

In this Ming dynasty painting, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is shown holding an infant while riding a lion that stands on a trail of clouds. The Bodhisattva wears a headdress with a Buddha image in the center, and has blue hair that hangs down onto the shoulders. A stole is draped over the arms and billows out towards the sides of the image. The dark blue lion has a thick mane. A string of ornaments hangs around its neck.
The Bodhisattva is flanked by Sudhana and an attendant. Sudhana stands on the right, joining his palms and looking up at the Bodhisattva. The dark-complexioned attendant, with his head tilted to the right, carries a long banner that appears to wave in the wind above Avalokitesvara.