TIBET, 17TH CENTURY

Details

A GOLD LEAF-EMBELLISHED PAINTING OF MAITREYA IN THE TUSHITA HEAVEN
TIBET, 17TH CENTURY
Maitreya is depicted to the centre, looking upon a further representation of himself within an elaborate palace scene above a trailing rainbow. Various disciples are portrayed within the scene, and there are four Buddhas, one at each corner.

36 ¾ in. x 51 ¾ in. (90.8 cm. x 131.4 cm.)

Lot Essay

The palace scene in the current painting represents the heaven in which Maitreya resides. When the principles of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings have been forgotten on earth, Maitreya descends from the Tushita Heaven and is reincarnated on earth to become the Future Buddha. The figure below the central figure is thus again Maitreya, and the rainbow is the ‘trail’ to the earth below. The various adoring figures are disciples who have achieved enlightenment and have been born in the Tushita Heaven.

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