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, right arm outstretched, left holds a plate of flowers, left leg pendant, right knee flexed.
23 3/4 x 24 3/4 in. (60.3 x 62.9 cm)
Fresco
Painting
China
10th century
Gift of C.T. Loo, Inc.
Once, there existed a magnificent scene, woven into the very walls of a temple, where faith breathed life into intricate artistry. This grand mural, now scattered across various collections throughout the United States, hailed from the heart of north-central China, likely rooted in the serene grounds of Cishengsi in the far northern Henan province. Each piece, a fragment of a larger story, whispers of the harmony and sacredness once embraced within its temple sanctuary.
At the center of this celestial tableau, three seated bodhisattvas formed a heavenly trio, radiating an aura of wisdom and compassion. Flanking them were standing attendant bodhisattvas, faithful guardians of the divine narrative, surrounded by a retinue of other attendees engaged in sacred rituals, creating a buzz of devotion that resonated with the very air of the temple.
Amidst the tableau, heavenly beings known as apsaras floated gracefully, their ethereal forms adding a touch of paradise to the scene, embodying the Esoteric Buddhist teachings that inspired this intricate composition. Imagine the light filtering through the temple’s vast open space, illuminating these figures, their robes shimmering with jewels, dancing as if caught in a gentle breeze.
The leftmost seated bodhisattva stands out, backed by a luminous halo that envelops him in light. Adorned in elaborate garments, he commands attention with his grandeur. Atop his ornate crown rests a small portrayal of a buddha, symbolizing the ultimate source from which this bodhisattva emanated—a reminder, perhaps, of the cycle of enlightenment and the close ties of lineage and legacy within Buddhist teachings.
In this hidden world of artistry, every brushstroke and every figure tells a part of a larger story, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys toward understanding, compassion, and connection. Each fragment, though separated, still resonates with echoes of a sacred past, a thought-provoking tapestry of spirituality that transcends both time and space.
About the artist
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