Eighteen Arhats

CHINA; Yuan dynasty

This set of two paintings depicts the Eighteen Arhats, with nine Arhats and two attendants shown in each image. According to the Records of Nandimitra’s Discourse on Abiding Dharma, the Arhats “hide their holiness in diverse appearances to appear the same as ordinary people . . . they practice and promote Buddhism and help people in everyday affairs.”
The Arhats all have nimbuses and stand in a loosely arranged group. In the first painting, most of the Arhats face slightly to the right, while in the second image they look towards the left. At the top of the first picture, an Arhat holds out an incense burner for his attendant to prepare. Below him, one Arhat leans on a staff while another holds on to an attendant for support. Two of the Arhats wear bright red robes. Another holds a scripture and smiles widely, appearing to perceive the deep meaning of the text. The Arhat in the bottom right corner has his hand on the back of a tiger.
At the top of the second painting, an Arhat gazes upwards at a flying dragon. Below him, another Arhat holds an auspicious creature in his arms. The other Arhats hold objects including an incense burner, prayer beads, a lotus, and a staff. One Arhat wears a hood and looks forward intently. The facial features of the figures are carefully drawn and their clothing is colored in elegant tones, making this an exemplary Arhat painting from the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368).