Mogao Cave 17: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty to Five Dynasties

This painting from Mogao Cave 17 portrays Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with a tilted head, standing on a red lotus pedestal. The Bodhisattva wears a crown, ornaments, and jewelry. Flowing green and blue stoles are draped over the arms and spiral elegantly in the lower register. The left hand carries a vase; a lotus is raised in the right hand. There is an ornamented floral canopy above the colorful layered nimbus. Scattered flowers are painted in the background. An inscription in the upper left corner pays homage to Avalokitesvara. The image was painted with colored dyes on a bleached linen cloth. Gradual variation of the color tones on the robe, stole, and arms give the figure a three-dimensional appearance. The use of this technique dates the painting to 9th century.