An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Flying Celestial (Apsara), from a set of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Flying Celestialsc. 951-953
Flying Apsaras, left arm outstretched, the right holds a plate of flowers, both legs pendant.
16 3/4 x 23 in. (42.5 x 58.4 cm)
Fresco
Painting
China
10th century
Gift of C.T. Loo, Inc.
In the quiet corners of art history, there lies a tender tale of the magnificent. Imagine, if you will, a grand temple wall standing tall amidst the serene landscapes of north-central China. Around the time when the sun rose and fell with a precise grace, this wall bore witness to the spiritual dance of devotion, enveloped in whispers of ancient rituals and transcendent faith.
Once part of a greater masterpiece, these sacred paintings now find themselves scattered across several collections in the United States, like leaves caught in the wind. Together, they once narrated the story of a trio of seated bodhisattvas, figures of compassion and enlightenment, who emanated a calming presence that reached the hearts of all who beheld them. Flanking each of these central figures were standing attendant bodhisattvas, steadfast companions bound in a shared purpose. Surrounding them were other attendants, gracefully performing rituals steeped in meaning and reverence—a vibrant tapestry of devotion that painted a heavenly scene.
In this celestial paradise, the air twinkled with the serene grace of flying celestials, known as apsaras, whose ethereal forms captured the essence of blissful transcendence, pulled from the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism. Their presence added an otherworldly quality, as if the divine itself descended upon the earth to guide the souls who wandered beneath this sacred mural.
Now, focus on the leftmost seated bodhisattva, where the tale becomes even more poignant. Adorned in elaborate robes and shimmering jewelry, a soft halo illuminated his figure—a luminescent embrace that whispered of purity and wisdom. Atop his head, a majestic crown held a small, delicate depiction of a buddha, the very essence from which this bodhisattva emanated; a reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the journey toward enlightenment.
As we ponder the fragments of this once-unified whole, we sense a longing—both theirs and ours—to reconnect with something vast and meaningful. Though dispersed and distant from their original temple wall, these paintings continue to resonate, each stroke of paint alive with echoes of a time when faith and artistry beckoned the divine, reminding us of our own paths toward understanding and peace.
About the artist
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