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Amitayus

Tibetan
18th century
Object Place: Tibet

Medium/Technique Distemper and gold on cotton, mounted with silk brocades, silk dust cover, wood dowel, brass knobs, and leather corner tabs
Dimensions 120 x 74 cm (47 1/4 x 29 1/8 in.)
Credit Line Gift of George and Verena Rybicki, in memory of William Stanley and Janet Morgan
Accession Number1992.237
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings

DescriptionPainting in hanging scroll (thangka) format, with streamers, veil and decorative stitched borders.

Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, sits cross-legged on a lotus seat. He is red in color, his hands in meditation mudra, holding a vase filled with amrita with a lotus on top. He wears Bodhisattva ornaments and radiates golden light. Around him is a golden foliate aureole with green gems, surrounded by lotus flowers and foliage. Above him are clouds, the sun and moon. Below are flowers and a pond with a lotus flower in it with an offering bowl. Around the lake are deer, peacocks, and ducks. Compared to other Amitayus in this set, this Buddha has accentuated breasts, is lighter in color, and is set back into the landscape.
Provenance1992, George and Verena Rybicki, Lexington, MA; 1992, gift of Rybicki to the MFA in memory of William Stanley and Janet Morgan. (Accession Date: May 26, 1992)