Artist:Unidentified Artist Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644) Date:16th–17th century Culture:China 明 佚名 Medium:Round fan mounted as an album leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk Dimensions:Sheet: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); Diam. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm) Classification:Paintings Credit Line:John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1913 Accession Number:13.100.123 Chinese beliefs about magical islands and enchanted caves were blended with Buddhist ideas imported from India to create iconographic combinations like the one you see here. Mystical clouds encircle the magical island of Mount Putuo as a dragon rises from the crashing waves. The bodhisattva Guanyin, who pledged to forgo enlightenment and remain in the world in order to aid suffering beings, sits in a cave high atop the mountain. Sixteen luohans, wizened guardians of the Buddhist law, pay her homage. Prostrating before Guanyin is the young pilgrim boy Sudhana (Chinese: Shancai), who has come to her seeking spiritual guidance.
Artist:Unidentified Artist Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644) Date:16th–17th century Culture:China 明 佚名 Medium:Round fan mounted as an album leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk Dimensions:Sheet: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); Diam. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm) Classification:Paintings Credit Line:John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1913 Accession Number:13.100.123 Chinese beliefs about magical islands and enchanted caves were blended with Buddhist ideas imported from India to create iconographic combinations like the one you see here. Mystical clouds encircle the magical island of Mount Putuo as a dragon rises from the crashing waves. The bodhisattva Guanyin, who pledged to forgo enlightenment and remain in the world in order to aid suffering beings, sits in a cave high atop the mountain. Sixteen luohans, wizened guardians of the Buddhist law, pay her homage. Prostrating before Guanyin is the young pilgrim boy Sudhana (Chinese: Shancai), who has come to her seeking spiritual guidance.