Arhat
Ink and color on paper
Arhat (detail)
Arhat
CHINA; Qing dynasty
Painted in 1766, this picture is signed by the artist Jin Tingbiao. A postscript written by Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795), states that it was commissioned by imperial order. The painting is recorded in the Qing Dynasty Imperial Collection of Painting and Calligraphy.
Clad in a red monastic robe draped in waves across the left shoulder, the Arhat holds a gnarled wooden staff and sits on a rock at the entrance to a cave shrouded in clouds. An attendant on the left stands behind a stone table and stares down intently, preparing incense. Tight, undulating brushstrokes are used throughout the painting. The full, healthy face of the central figure differs from the usual portrayal of Arhats as wrinkled ascetics. This elegant artwork is unique among imperial paintings of the Qing dynasty.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting A-H, page 54.
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 A-H},
pages = 54,
title = {{Arhat}},
volume = 14,
year = {2016}}