Tuyoq Caves: Longevity Bodhisattva
Ink and color on silk
Tuyoq Caves: Longevity Bodhisattva
CHINA, Xinjiang, Turpan; Tang dynasty
An inscription at the top of this fragment from the Tuyoq Caves identifies the central figure as Longevity Bodhisattva. Based on the scale of the Bodhisattva’s upper body, the original painting measured over 2 m high. The Bodhisattva has a round face with an urna in the middle of the forehead. Lines around the eyes give the figure a slightly aged appearance. A patterned nimbus surrounds the head. The Bodhisattva wears a thick necklace and a headdress decorated with a Buddha image. The raised right hand forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra. Black ink lines of varying thicknesses are used to illustrate the figure. The lack of color suggests that the artwork may be unfinished.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z, page 947.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z},
pages = 947,
title = {{Tuyoq Caves: Longevity Bodhisattva}},
volume = 16,
year = {2016}}