Arhats

CHINA; Ming dynasty

In this Ming dynasty painting, a group of Chinese and Indian Arhats, accompanied by attendants, stand within a natural landscape. The Arhats, some middle aged and others elderly, have transparent nimbuses, wear different colored robes, and carry different objects. The Arhat on the top left holds a vase. Beside him on the right, an Arhat with hunched shoulders grasps a bamboo staff. The Arhat standing on the lower right holds a monk’s staff, and reaches down with his left hand to stroke a tiger. The dark-skinned Arhat in the center of the picture looks over his shoulder at two attendants standing in the bottom left corner. The two attendants are dressed in ornate robes; the one on the far left wears a headdress and holds an elephant tusk, while the figure on the right wears a cap and holds up an offering. There are two more attendants painted in the top register, wearing plain robes and standing behind the Arhats. One carries a pack and the other holds a wrapped object. Bamboo trees and mountains are painted in the background.